By Opeyemi Adelakun
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish his name as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election.
Pantami’s lawyers, Ahmed Raji & Co., made the demand in a letter dated October 12, 2026, and addressed to the INEC chairman, describing the omission of their client’s name from the commission’s final list of candidates as unlawful.
The legal team demanded that INEC publish and circulate Pantami’s name by Wednesday, October 14, and confirm in writing the steps taken to address the matter.
According to the letter, Pantami participated in the PDP governorship primary held on May 26, 2026, and emerged winner. The party subsequently submitted his particulars, including Form EC9, to INEC on August 8, while the commission published his name on August 29.
However, the initial primary was challenged in two suits before the Federal High Court in Gombe over questions concerning his membership of the PDP.
Lead counsel Ahmed Raji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the court resolved the membership issue in Pantami’s favour in judgments delivered on September 24.
The lawyers said the court also nullified the May 26 primary over issues relating to its conduct and directed the PDP to organise a fresh exercise within 30 days, allowing all aspirants cleared on May 14 to participate.
They maintained that the party complied with the order, notified INEC and conducted a fresh primary on September 29, which was monitored by commission officials.
Pantami again emerged as the winner of the exercise, according to the petition.
The legal team said INEC subsequently omitted his name from the final list published on October 10 without providing any explanation.
“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 letter stated.
The lawyers urged the commission to take immediate corrective action, warning that the omission had left their client’s candidacy unresolved despite the fresh primary conducted in compliance with the court’s directive.
INEC had not responded to the demand in the account provided by Daily Trust as of the time of the report.
Leave a Reply