The Independent National Electoral Commission has updated its candidate schedules. It removed former Minister Isa Pantami’s name from the final Gombe State governorship contenders list. The commission did not give a reason. The removal comes weeks after Pantami won a court-ordered rerun PDP primary. He polled 2,054 votes. His challengers polled 389 and 112. He was the PDP candidate. Now he is off the list.
Pantami defected from the APC after losing the governorship ticket. He joined the PDP. He won the primary. The victory was challenged. A Federal High Court ordered a rerun. He won again. But legal disputes continued. The Electoral Act requires parties to submit candidates within deadlines. INEC verifies compliance. If a candidate is not properly nominated, the commission removes them. The removal suggests a legal or procedural failure.
INEC did not explain the removal. It simply updated the schedule. Pantami’s campaign has not commented. The PDP has not issued a statement. The APC has not reacted. The removal creates uncertainty. Gombe voters do not know who the PDP candidate is. The deadline for substitution may have passed. Pantami could challenge the decision in court. The election is approaching. The confusion benefits the APC.
Winners: The APC, which faces a weakened PDP. Other PDP aspirants, who may seek the ticket. INEC, which asserts authority. Losers: Pantami, who loses his place. The PDP, which faces a crisis. Gombe voters, who face uncertainty. The rule of law, if the removal is challenged.
Bottom Line: INEC removed Pantami. No reason given. He won the primary. Now he is out. The PDP must resolve the mess. The APC watches. Gombe deserves clarity.