Court reserves judgment on Pantami’s emergence as PDP gov candidate

The Federal High Court in Gombe has reserved judgment on a lawsuit filed by Aliyu Garry, a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the nomination of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa-Ali Ibrahim Pantami, as the party's candidate for the 2027 election.

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I must commend the learned counsels on both sides for their professionalism, honesty, competence and the respect they have shown to this court throughout the hearing of this matter.

Justice Amina-Aliyu Muhammad reserved the judgment on Friday after the legal teams for both sides presented their final written addresses and concluded their arguments in the pre-election matter. Eko-Ejembi Eko, counsel for the plaintiff Garry, urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought, asserting that the suit was meritorious. Conversely, Benjamin Sati, representing Pantami's counsel Mohammed Abdul, SAN, requested the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that Pantami's emergence adhered to legal and party procedures.

Justice Muhammad commended both legal counsels for their professionalism and respect throughout the hearing before announcing the reservation of judgment. A date for the delivery of the verdict will be communicated to the parties involved.

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The court hereby reserves judgment in this matter. A date for the delivery of the judgement will be communicated to all parties in due course.

This legal challenge follows closely on the heels of a similar suit filed by another PDP governorship aspirant, Khamisu Mailantarki. Mailantarki is also contesting Pantami's emergence, seeking to nullify the May 26, 2026 primary election and compel the PDP to conduct a fresh one. Mailantarki's lead counsel, Mustapha-Shaba Ibrahim, SAN, expressed dissatisfaction with the process, stating that "a stranger was brought into the process and coronated the candidate of the PDP for the Gombe governorship election."

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Today, we argued our originating summons, they took their preliminary objections, and it is now adjourned for judgment on both processes.

Ibrahim confirmed that the case, initially filed by two plaintiffs, would proceed despite the withdrawal of the second plaintiff, Monica Kaltho, who consulted with party members and opted not to continue. He noted that such withdrawals are permissible under the law and would not affect the case's progression, which is now adjourned for judgment on both the originating summons and preliminary objections.

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The second plaintiff indicated that she had consulted with her party members and did not want to continue with the case. That is not unusual; it is allowed by law. Because the case was filed by two plaintiffs, in the absen