“Temporary Challenge”: Pantami’s Camp Reacts to INEC Omission

The camp of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has urged supporters to remain calm after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) omitted his name from its final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 Gombe State governorship election.

INEC published its final list on Saturday, October 10, 2026, featuring 16 candidates. Pantami’s name was conspicuously absent . The omission followed a turbulent primary season in Gombe.

The former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy had withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship race on May 19, 2026, citing alleged irregularities in the party’s primary process .

He subsequently joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Federal High Court in Gombe had, on September 24, 2026, nullified Pantami’s initial emergence as the PDP candidate and ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days, after finding that the earlier exercise did not comply with the party’s procedures and applicable electoral laws.

Pantami won the rerun primary conducted on September 29, 2026, defeating Khamisu Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry. Yet his name did not appear on INEC’s final list.

THE CAMP’S REACTION: “TEMPORARY CHALLENGE”

In a statement signed by Professor Suleiman Mohammed Gombe and posted on Pantami’s official X account on Saturday, the camp described the development as “a temporary challenge and a normal part of the electoral process, not a final determination” .

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“We wish to assure all our supporters to remain calm, steadfast, and hopeful,” the statement said.

The camp said its legal and liaison teams were already engaging with relevant party organs and INEC “to ensure full compliance and rectification within the window provided by law”.

“We are aware of the people working behind the scenes to frustrate good and responsible leadership in Gombe State, but our legal and liaison teams are already engaging with the relevant organs of the party and INEC to ensure full compliance and rectification within the window provided by law. By the grace of Allah, this matter will be resolved”.

The statement urged supporters to continue their mobilisation and remain focused on “our collective ideology of service to humanity.”

“The PDP and Pantamiyya Movement remain strong, united, and committed to the rescue and emancipation of our people. No distraction will derail our course, in sha Allah”.

The statement did not specify the legal or administrative measures being pursued to secure Pantami’s inclusion on the list.

THE CONTEXT: A COURT-ORDERED RERUN AND ITS AFTERMATH

Pantami’s political journey to the 2027 governorship race has been anything but smooth. He began in the APC, where he was seen as a formidable contender.

But in May 2026, he withdrew from the party’s governorship primary, alleging violations of the Electoral Act 2026 and accusing the party leadership of failing to provide critical information needed for a transparent exercise.

“The protest is based on the blatant disregard for the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the failure of the party leadership to implement the framework required for a credible primary election,” his campaign had said at the time.

He then joined the PDP, won its primary, and appeared on INEC’s provisional list published on August 29, 2026 . But Ahmed Mailantarki, one of the aspirants, challenged Pantami’s nomination in court.

The Federal High Court nullified his emergence and ordered a fresh primary within 30 days .Pantami won the rerun on September 29.

Yet INEC’s final list still did not include him.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

Under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, a registered political party that discovers its candidate’s name is missing must notify INEC in writing within 14 days of publication.

The notification must be signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary and supported by an affidavit. This provision establishes a formal process for addressing omissions.

The Pantami camp has indicated that its legal team is engaging with INEC and party organs within this window. The question is whether the PDP will formally file the notification, and whether INEC will accept the party’s explanation for the omission.

WHY IT MATTERS

Pantami’s omission is significant both politically and legally. Politically, Pantami is one of the most prominent figures in Gombe politics. His “Pantamiyya Movement” has a substantial following, particularly among young people who contributed funds ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦4 million to purchase his nomination forms.

His absence from the ballot would reshape the Gombe governorship contest. Legally, the case tests INEC’s willingness to enforce compliance with the Electoral Act’s membership register requirements.

INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna had previously stated that parties which failed to comply with these requirements would not be allowed to field affected candidates or substitute them.

Whether Pantami’s omission stems from non-compliance by the PDP or an administrative error remains unclear. INEC’s published list carried no explanation for the omission .

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The PDP has 14 days from the publication of the list to formally notify INEC of the omission .

If the party files the notification under Section 32(2), INEC will review the submission and determine whether to restore Pantami’s name to the list.If the party does not file, or if INEC rejects the notification, Pantami’s exclusion from the 2027 governorship race will stand.

For now, the Pantami camp is projecting confidence, insisting that the setback is temporary and that the matter will be resolved.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the camp has urged calm and said its legal team is engaging INEC. Whether that confidence is justified will depend on the next steps taken by the party and the commission.