Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has issued a 3 days ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over what he described as illegal omission of his name from the ultimate checklist of candidates for the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.
In a letter dated October 12, 2026, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Pantami’s legal professionals, Ahmed Raji & Co., demanded that the fee publish his name as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) inside three days.
The lead counsel Ahmed Raji, SAN, stated Pantami was duly nominated by the PDP after successful the recent major held on September 29, 2026.
According to the letter, Pantami, a registered member of the PDP at Pantami Ward, Gombe State, bought the celebration’s Expression of Interest and Nomination varieties, was screened and cleared, and received the preliminary major held on May 26, 2026.
The agency stated the PDP subsequently submitted his private particulars, Form EC9, to INEC on August 8, 2026, and that the fee printed his name on August 29, 2026, pursuant to Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The letter defined that the May 26 major was later challenged in two fits on the Federal High Court, Gombe, the place the plaintiffs questioned Pantami’s membership of the PDP.
Raji stated the courtroom, in judgments delivered on September 24, 2026, resolved the membership query in Pantami’s favour.
“In the second suit, the court also held that the non-appearance of Pantami’s name in an exhibit tendered was not conclusive proof of non-membership. Membership of a political party is ordinarily a matter within the domestic affairs of the party,” a part of the letter said.
The letter additional said that whereas nullifying the May 26 major on grounds relating to its conduct, the courtroom ordered the PDP to conduct a recent major inside 30 days, affording all aspirants cleared on May 14, 2026, the chance to take part.
The legal professionals stated the PDP complied, duly notified INEC, and carried out the recent major on September 29, 2026, which was monitored by INEC officers, and Pantami once more emerged winner.
The petition faulted INEC’s determination to omit Pantami’s name from the ultimate checklist printed on October 10, 2026, with out giving any purpose.
UPDATE NEWS:
Nigerians can now make investments ₦2.5 million on premium domains and revenue about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than surprise,
click here to find out how it works.
