A Federal High Court sitting in Gombe has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to conduct a fresh governorship primary election in the state.

Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed gave the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Usman Aliyu Garry challenging the emergence of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, as the party’s governorship candidate.

Garry had challenged Pantami’s emergence after the PDP announced him as its sole candidate on June 26, 2026, arguing that the required primary election was not properly conducted.

Pantami, who had previously sought the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, defected to the PDP after the APC settled for Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate.

He subsequently emerged as the PDP’s candidate through voice affirmation at the party’s governorship primary held in May.

However, in the judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Mohammed ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary in Gombe State.

The court directed the party to conduct the fresh primary in accordance with its guidelines and relevant electoral laws.