By The law firm of Ahmed Raji & Co. has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) until Wednesday, October 14, to publish Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election, alleging that his name was unlawfully omitted from the commission’s final list of candidates.
In a letter dated October 12, 2026, and addressed to the INEC chairman, the lawyers described the omission as “unlawful and unexplained” and demanded the immediate publication of Ibrahim’s name.
The letter was signed by Ahmed Raji, SAN; A.T. Kehinde, SAN; Abdul Mohammed, SAN; Wale Balogun, SAN; and Chief Tunde Falola, Esq., on behalf of Ibrahim and the PDP.
Why the PDP Candidate’s Name Was Omitted
According to the lawyers, Ibrahim emerged as the PDP’s governorship candidate in a primary election held on May 26, 2026. His particulars were subsequently submitted to INEC on August 8, and the commission published his name on August 29.
However, two suits before the Federal High Court in Gombe challenged the conduct of the primary and Ibrahim’s eligibility to contest it.
The cases, Suit Nos. FHC/GM/CS/9/2026 and FHC/GM/CS/10/2026, were filed by Usman Aliyu, popularly known as Garry, and Khamisu Ahmed and another plaintiff, respectively.
The lawyers said the court examined arguments concerning Ibrahim’s PDP membership and eligibility and ruled against the plaintiffs on those specific issues.
In the judgment in Suit No. FHC/GM/CS/9/2026, the court held that the plaintiff had not established that Ibrahim was legally incapable of being recognised as a PDP member.
Similarly, in Suit No. FHC/GM/CS/10/2026, the court held that the absence of Ibrahim’s name from a particular membership register was not conclusive proof that he was not a party member.
Court Ordered Fresh Primary Election
Although the court rejected the challenges to Ibrahim’s membership and eligibility on the grounds presented, it nullified the May 26 primary over issues relating to the conduct of the exercise.
In its September 24, 2026 judgments, the court directed the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary within 30 days, in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026, the party’s constitution and its electoral guidelines.
The court also directed that the plaintiff and other aspirants whose screening clearance remained valid should be allowed to participate.
The consequential orders restrained the PDP and INEC from recognising or giving effect to a nomination arising from the nullified May 26 exercise.
According to Ahmed Raji & Co., the PDP complied with the order by conducting a fresh primary on September 29, 2026, which was attended and monitored by INEC officials.
The lawyers said Ibrahim won the fresh primary and was again submitted to the commission as the party’s candidate.
They added that INEC’s monitoring report was in the commission’s custody.
Lawyers Demand Immediate Publication
The lawyers argued that INEC could not independently remove a nominated candidate’s name without judicial authority, citing previous court decisions, including Dingyadi & Anor v. INEC & Ors (2011), Raymond v. INEC & Ors (2023) and AC & Anor v. INEC (2007).
They maintained that the commission’s role in party primaries was to attend, observe, monitor and report on the process, rather than independently disqualify candidates.
The firm therefore demanded that INEC publish Ibrahim’s name as the PDP candidate for the Gombe governorship election by October 14, 2026, and give it the same prominence as the names of other candidates on the final list published on October 10.
The lawyers also requested written confirmation of the steps taken by the commission to resolve the matter.
The letter did not state why INEC omitted Ibrahim’s name from the final list. The commission’s explanation for the omission was not included in the document.
