Fresh Trouble Hits Gombe PDP As Mailantarki Challenges Pantami’s Victory

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State has deepened after governorship aspirant Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki rejected the outcome of the party’s September 29 rerun primary, which produced former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Pantami emerged victorious after securing 2,024 votes, while Mailantarki polled 389 votes and Usman Aliyu Garry recorded 112 votes. The rerun was conducted following a September 24, 2026, judgment of the Federal High Court in Gombe, which nullified the earlier primary and directed the PDP to conduct a fresh exercise within 30 days.

However, Mailantarki has disputed the validity of Pantami’s participation and emergence, raising legal arguments concerning the former minister’s eligibility to contest under the PDP platform. He also referred to a recent Supreme Court judgment and alleged that Pantami was still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) when PDP screening was conducted.

Mailantarki maintained that, based on his interpretation of the relevant legal provisions and court decisions, the contest should have been limited to himself and Usman Aliyu Garry. He further argued that his second-place finish in the rerun should have legal implications for the outcome.

“I am ready to go to court, even if it means going to the Supreme Court to reclaim my victory at the just-concluded primary election,” Mailantarki reportedly said.

The latest dispute comes after the PDP had cleared Pantami, Mailantarki and Garry to participate in the rerun following the Federal High Court’s September 24 judgment. The court had nullified the earlier process that produced Pantami but did not grant a request seeking to remove him from the PDP over claims concerning his membership.

The Federal High Court had ruled that the earlier primary did not comply with the PDP’s internal procedures and applicable electoral provisions, leading to an order for a fresh primary. The party subsequently scheduled the rerun for September 29 and allowed the three aspirants to participate.

With Mailantarki now threatening further legal action, the dispute over the PDP governorship ticket in Gombe State could continue beyond the rerun, with the aspirant indicating that he is prepared to pursue the matter through the courts.