INEC Excludes Pantami from Gombe Governorship Race

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has excluded Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, from the final list of candidates for the Gombe State governorship election set for February 6, 2027. Pantami, who was initially on the provisional list published on August 29, emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate after defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on May 19, 2026.

His candidacy faced legal challenges, particularly from Ahmed Mailantarki, who contested the primary election outcome. A Federal High Court in Gombe nullified the initial primary election, prompting the PDP to conduct a fresh primary, which Pantami won.

However, the Supreme Court's ruling on September 24 restored certain provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, raising questions about the eligibility of candidates not listed in the membership register submitted to INEC. Pantami's exclusion followed this legal uncertainty, and INEC has cleared 16 candidates for the upcoming election.