Court Hears Suit Against Pantami’s PDP Candidacy

The Federal High Court No. 1 in Gombe has commenced hearing in a pre-election suit filed by Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh challenging the emergence of Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State.

The case came up before Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, who adjourned proceedings until July 9, 2026, for further mention.

Saleh is seeking the court’s intervention over the process that produced Pantami as the PDP flag bearer, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the party’s governorship nomination exercise.

Prior to approaching the court, the aggrieved aspirant had appealed to the PDP leadership to address his grievances and review the conduct of the primary election, insisting that the party should exhaust its internal dispute resolution mechanisms in the interest of fairness, unity and due process.

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However, after what he described as unsuccessful efforts to obtain redress within the party, Saleh instituted legal action to challenge the outcome of the exercise.

The suit is expected to attract considerable political interest as the PDP intensifies preparations for the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.

Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter to July 9, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.