Why Pantami’s Name Removed From Gombe Governorship Race As INEC Releases Final Candidates’ List

According to Vanguard News reports, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the name of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, from the final list of governorship candidates for the February 6, 2027, election in Gombe State.

Pantami’s name was reportedly included in the provisional list of candidates released by INEC on August 29, 2026. However, his name was missing from the final list containing 16 candidates cleared to contest the forthcoming governorship election.

Among the candidates listed by INEC are Bala Bello Tinka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Babayo Ardo Kumo of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

Other candidates cleared by the electoral commission include 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).

Pantami’s removal from the final list comes amid a dispute over the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship primary in Gombe State.

Recall that Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, another PDP governorship aspirant, had rejected the outcome of the party’s rerun primary, arguing that Pantami was not eligible to participate in the exercise.

Pantami was declared the winner of the rerun primary conducted on Tuesday by the electoral committee led by Johnbull Shekarau. He secured 2,054 votes, while Mailantarki received 389 votes and Usman Aliyu Garry polled 112 votes.

Speaking to journalists after the results were announced, Mailantarki reportedly argued that a recent Supreme Court judgment concerning provisions of the Electoral Act affected Pantami’s eligibility to participate in the primary.

Mailantarki also maintained that, having finished second in the exercise, he should be recognised as the party’s governorship candidate.

INEC’s final list has now excluded Pantami, although the information provided in the report does not state the commission’s specific reason for removing his name.

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