The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe has reserved judgment in a suit filed by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Khamisu Mailantarki, challenging the outcome of the party’s May 26, 2026 governorship primary in the state.
Recall that PDP had had announced former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Professor Isa Pantami as gubernatorial candidate.
Justice Amina-Aliyu Mohammed on Thursday fixed judgement for a date to be communicated to the parties after hearing arguments from counsel representing both sides on Thursday.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Mailantarki’s lead counsel, Mustapha-Shaba Ibrahim, SAN, said the suit challenges the emergence of the PDP’s governorship candidate, alleging that the process that produced the candidate was unlawful.
“Today was for the hearing of the matter. The plaintiff, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, came to the Federal High Court challenging what took place on the 26th of May, 2026, where a stranger was brought into the process and coronated the candidate of the PDP for the Gombe governorship election,” Ibrahim said.
He explained that both parties argued their originating summons and preliminary objections before the court reserved judgement.
“Today we argued our originating summons, they took their preliminary objections, and it is now adjourned for judgment on both processes,” he added.
On the withdrawal of the second plaintiff, Monica, Ibrahim said the development would not affect the case.
“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 absence of one, it can continue with the presence of the other.
“That is why we told the court that we can continue with the case with Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, who is the first plaintiff, the deponent to the affidavit and the person challenging what took place on May 26.”
Highlighting the reliefs being sought, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said his client is asking the court to order a fresh governorship primary.
“The prayer is for a fresh election. We are saying that what took place was not a valid primary, so let a valid primary take place between the main aspirants, who are four in number, without Issa Ali Ibrahim, because he was not a member of the PDP at the time the primaries took place,” Ibrahim stated.
Also speaking after the proceedings, lead counsel to the PDP, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, confirmed that three pre-election matters involving the party came up before the court.
He said one of the cases was adjourned to July 23, while the Mailantarki suit had been reserved for judgement.
“We have adopted our processes in the matter filed by Khamisu, and the court has reserved that particular matter for judgment on a date to be communicated,” Ajibade said.
He added that another suit filed by Gary against the PDP and its governorship candidate would continue the following day for adoption of processes before judgement is fixed.