The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has omitted the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, from its final list of 16 approved candidates for the Gombe State governorship election scheduled for February 6, 2027.
While Pantami was previously featured on the provisional candidate roster released on August 29, his name was excluded from the updated final publication.
This development mirrors a parallel situation in Ogun State, where INEC’s final governorship roster similarly excludes the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer, Ladi Adebutu, alongside his running mate.
The cleared candidates on the final list for Gombe State include Babayo Ardo Kumo of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Bala Bello Tinka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
INEC also approved Zubairu Mu’azu Halilu of the Labour Party (LP), Lamela L. Silas of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Ibrahim Jalo Abubakar of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Adamu Mohammed Ma’aji of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others contesting the election.
Backstory…
The controversy surrounding Isa Pantami’s omission from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s final list of candidates for the 2027 Gombe governorship election follows a legal challenge to his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer.
On September 24, 2026, the Federal High Court in Gombe nullified Pantami’s emergence and ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days.
The ruling followed suits by Khamisu Mailantarki and Aliyu Usman Garry, who challenged the process that produced Isa Pantami as the party’s candidate.
Read Also: Court nullifies Pantami’s ticket, orders fresh PDP primary in Gombe
