Press Release
PRESS RELEASE: UNLAWFUL AND UNEXPLAINED OMISSION OF THE NAME OF PROFESSOR ISA ALI IBRAHIM THE NOMINATED CANDIDATE OF THE PDP FROM THE FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR OF GOMBE STATE FOR THE 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS – DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION WITHIN THREE (3) DAYS
UNLAWFUL AND UNEXPLAINED OMISSION OF THE NAME OF PROFESSOR ISA ALI IBRAHIM THE NOMINATED CANDIDATE OF THE PDP FROM THE FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR OF GOMBE STATE FOR THE 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS – DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION WITHIN THREE (3) DAYS
AHMED RAJI & CO.BARRISTERS | SOLICITORS | ARBITRATORS | CONSULTANCY
12th October, 2026
The Chairman,Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC)Plot 436, Zambezi Crescent,Maitama,Abuja.
Sir,
UNLAWFUL AND UNEXPLAINED OMISSION OF THE NAME OF PROFESSOR ISA ALI IBRAHIM THE NOMINATED CANDIDATE OF THE PDP FROM THE FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR OF GOMBE STATE FOR THE 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS – DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION WITHIN THREE (3) DAYS
We act as Solicitors to Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (hereinafter referred to as “our Clients”) and on their firm instructions, write in respect of the publication by the Commission on the 10th day of October, 2026 of the Final List of Candidates for the 2027 general elections from which the name of PROF ISA ALI IBRAHIM, the duly nominated candidate of the PDP for the office of Governor of Gombe State, was omitted without any reason being given.
Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim is a duly registered member of the PDP at Pantami Ward, Gombe State. The updated PDP membership register (containing his name) was duly submitted to the Commission. (See Annexure A hereto). He purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms of the PDP for the gubernatorial primary; After screening and clearance, he participated in the governorship primary election of the PDP, Gombe State, emerging as the winner on the 26th day of May, 2026. Thereafter, the PDP submitted his personal particulars (Form EC9) to the Commission on the 8th day of August, 2026 pursuant to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the Commission published his name on the 29th day of August, 2026 pursuant to Section 29(3) of the Act. Up to this point, no step was taken by the Commission to question any aspect of his emergence.
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The primary of 26th May, 2026 was thereafter challenged in Suit No. FHC/GM/CS/9/2026 between Usman Aliyu (Garry) v. PDP & 2 Ors and Suit No. FHC/GM/CS/10/2026 between Khamisu Ahmed & Anor v. PDP & 2 Ors before the Federal High Court, Gombe. The Second and fourth questions submitted for determination, respectively in the Originating Summons squarely challenged the membership of Isa Ali Ibrahim, contending that his name not being in the PDP register submitted to the Commission, he was ineligible to contest the primary. Those issues were fully litigated on affidavit evidence and determined.
At pages 57 of the judgment in Suit No. FHC/GM/CS/9/2026, the Court held, in terms thus:
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“I therefore find that the Plaintiff has not established that the 3rd Defendant was legally incapable of being recognised by the 1st Defendant as its member. Accordingly, question two is resolved against the Plaintiff. Question four concerns whether the 3rd Defendant validly emerged as the 1st Defendant’s gubernatorial candidate having regard to Sections 177(c) and 228(b) of the Constitution. Section 177(c) requires a person seeking election as Governor to be a member of, and sponsored by, a political party. I have already resolved the issue of membership against the Plaintiff. The remaining question is therefore whether the 3rd Defendant derived valid sponsorship from the nomination process of the 1st Defendant. That question has substantially been answered under questions one and three”.
Equally in Suit No. FHC/GM/CS/10/2026 the Court resolved Questions 1, 2 and 3 in favour of the Plaintiff, but resolved Question 4 – the membership and eligibility of Isa Ali Ibrahim against the Plaintiff. At pages 65-66 of the judgment, the Court held, in terms thus:
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