Court fixes July 9 for hearing in Gombe PDP, INEC suits

The Federal High Court in Gombe has fixed July 9, 2026, for the hearing of separate suits involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the party’s governorship candidate in Gombe State, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.

One of the suits was instituted by Usman Aliyu (Garry) against the PDP, INEC, and other defendants.

A hearing notice issued by the court indicated that the matter had been moved from the General Cause List to the Hearing Paper and is scheduled for hearing on Thursday, July 9. The notice, dated June 24, 2026, was addressed to INEC—the second defendant in the suit—at its headquarters in Abuja.

The court directed all parties to appear with the witnesses and documentary evidence they intend to rely upon in prosecuting or defending the case.

It warned that parties who fail to present their evidence at the appropriate stage may be barred from doing so later, except on terms that could include the payment of substantial costs.

Furthermore, the court advised parties seeking to compel witnesses to testify to apply for witness summonses without delay to ensure adequate notice is served.

It also stressed that any party intending to tender documents in the custody of an opposing party must issue prior written notice requesting their production.

The hearing notice was issued by the Registrar of the Federal High Court, Gombe, pursuant to an order of the court.

Although the exact nature of the dispute in Aliyu’s suit was not disclosed in the court documents made available to journalists, proceedings in the matter are expected to commence on July 9.

Meanwhile, Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed of Federal High Court No. 1, Gombe, has also adjourned to July 9 a pre-election suit challenging the emergence of Prof. Pantami as the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Gombe State.

The suit was filed by Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, who is contesting the process that produced Pantami as the party’s flag bearer, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the governorship nomination exercise.

Saleh had reportedly appealed to the PDP leadership to address his grievances through the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanism before approaching the court.

However, after what he described as unsuccessful efforts to secure redress within the party, he instituted legal action to challenge the outcome of the primary election.

Both cases are expected to attract considerable political interest as the PDP intensifies preparations ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.

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