The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to conduct a fresh primary election for its governorship ticket in Gombe State. The ruling, delivered by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, follows a legal challenge to the party’s previous selection process.
The court’s decision directly impacts the political standing of Prof. Isa Ali, whose emergence as the party’s candidate was the subject of the suit. The litigation, filed by Usman Aliyu Garry, sought to nullify the process that led to Prof. Ali’s selection, alleging that the internal democratic procedures were not properly followed.
By ordering a new primary, the court has effectively invalidated the existing gubernatorial candidacy for the PDP in the state. This development necessitates an immediate overhaul of the party’s electoral roadmap in Gombe to ensure compliance with judicial requirements.
Legal scrutiny of PDP internal processes
The ruling came after the emergence of Prof. Isa Ali was challenged in court by Usman Aliyu Garry. The plaintiff argued that the primary election conducted by the party failed to meet the constitutional and legal standards required to select a legitimate candidate for the governorship race.
In Nigeria, political parties are legally obligated to conduct internal elections that are transparent, inclusive, and adherent to their own constitutions. The Federal High Court’s intervention highlights the increasing trend of judicial oversight in party politics, where candidates often seek legal redress when they believe primary processes have been manipulated or conducted unfairly.
For the PDP leadership in Gombe, the order presents a significant logistical and political challenge. The party must now organise a new primary election that can withstand legal scrutiny, a process that requires careful coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the new candidate is validly recognised.
The decision places the party at a crossroads, as it must balance the need for speed to meet election timelines with the necessity of conducting a process that avoids further litigation. While Prof. Isa Ali’s candidacy is currently under review due to this order, the party has not yet released an official statement regarding its intention to either comply with the judgement or seek an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
The next steps for the PDP will depend on whether the party leadership chooses to accept the court’s decision or attempt to stay the execution of the order through higher judicial authorities.
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