Pantami gives INEC 72 hours to publish name on Gombe guber list

A former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the alleged unlawful omission of his name from the 2027 Gombe State governorship list.

Pantami’s lead counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), in a petition dated October 12, 2026, demanded the immediate publication of his client’s name as the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“We have our Client’s firm and unequivocal instructions to demand that the Commission, on or before Wednesday, October 14, publish and circulate the name of Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim as the candidate of the PDP for the office of Governor of Gombe State.”

The final list released by the electoral body on October 10 had excluded the former minister without any stated reason.

According to the legal firm, Pantami was duly nominated by the PDP after emerging victorious in a fresh, court-ordered primary election held on September 29, 2026. The exercise was monitored by INEC officials.

The initial primary held on May 26 had faced legal hurdles at the Federal High Court in Gombe over disputes regarding Pantami’s party membership. However, on September 24, the court delivered a judgment resolving the membership controversy in his favour, stating that party affiliation remains a domestic affair of the political platform.

Although the court nullified the May primary due to issues surrounding its conduct, it directed the PDP to organise a fresh exercise within 30 days. The party complied, and Pantami again secured the ticket.

The legal team has urged INEC to take administrative action and confirm in writing the steps being taken to resolve the dispute before the three-day window elapses.