INEC Drops Pantami From Final Gombe Governorship Candidates List Ahead Of 2027 Election

Published on 11 October 2026 at 07:18

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has omitted former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, from its final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027, Gombe State governorship election.

The final list, released on Saturday, October 10, 2026, contains 16 governorship candidates and their running mates. However, neither Pantami nor any other candidate representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears on the list.

Pantami emerged as the PDP governorship candidate after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2026. His nomination, however, became the subject of a legal dispute initiated by rival aspirant Ahmed Mailantarki Mailantarki.

A Federal High Court in Gombe subsequently nullified the initial PDP governorship primary and ordered the party to conduct a fresh election. Pantami won the rerun primary held on September 29, 2026, securing 2,054 votes.

Despite his victory, questions surrounding his eligibility remained unresolved. One of the issues raised by rival aspirants concerned whether his membership of the PDP complied with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly requirements relating to party membership registers submitted to INEC.

The controversy followed a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, which restored provisions of the Electoral Act concerning party membership registers and candidate eligibility.

INEC’s published list does not provide a specific explanation for Pantami’s omission. The commission has also not publicly detailed the legal basis for excluding the PDP from the list of candidates for the state.

Reacting to the development, the PDP leadership and the Pantamiyya Movement urged supporters to remain calm, describing the situation as a temporary challenge. In a statement signed by Professor Suleiman Mohammed Gombe on October 10, the group said its legal and liaison teams were engaging with relevant party organs and INEC to seek a resolution within the period permitted by law.

The statement expressed confidence that the issue could be addressed, while urging supporters to continue their mobilisation.

Other candidates listed for the Gombe governorship election include Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the APC, Bala Bello Tinka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Babayo Ardo Kumo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Pantami’s omission leaves uncertainty over the PDP’s participation in the Gombe governorship race. The legal and administrative implications of the development remain subject to further clarification, and the published list does not by itself explain whether any subsequent steps may be taken by the party or the candidate.

The Gombe governorship election is scheduled for February 6, 2027.

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Regina Daniels Marks 25th Birthday in Wheelchair, Reveals Months of Severe Pain and Struggle to Walk

11 Oct 2026 08:33

Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has revealed that she has been battling serious health challenges that left her dependent on a wheelchair, turning what would ordinarily have been a joyful birthday celebration into an emotional account of pain, uncertainty and recovery. The Nigerian film star disclosed that she had endured months of difficulty walking, repeated medical examinations and periods of severe physical discomfort, explaining that the experience had significantly affected her independence and kept her away from public appearances and social media. The revelation came on Saturday, October 10, 2026, when Daniels celebrated her 25th birthday through a video published on her official Instagram account. The actress, who is also a mother of two and the estranged wife of Delta North Senator Ned Nwoko, appeared seated in a wheelchair while addressing followers about her health. Describing the occasion as her silver jubilee, she explained that she had chosen her birthday to share details of the difficulties she had experienced and the progress she was making. Daniels opened her message by acknowledging that her appearance would surprise followers accustomed to seeing her active in entertainment, social events and charitable activities. She explained that the wheelchair was connected to a health problem that initially appeared minor but gradually became serious enough to interfere with her ability to move freely. According to the actress, her condition deteriorated significantly after the Children's Day carnival she organised earlier in the year. She identified that event as her last major public gathering before her health difficulties became more pronounced. However, she did not establish that the carnival caused her condition or explain the medical circumstances behind the deterioration. The actress described undergoing numerous medical tests while attempting to understand and manage her symptoms. She said the repeated examinations became so frequent that she jokingly compared herself to a laboratory animal, although the experience itself was distressing. One particularly difficult aspect was the unpredictable nature of her mobility. Daniels explained that she could sometimes walk normally but experienced other periods when movement became extremely difficult. She described the pain as excruciating and acknowledged that the experience had repeatedly brought her to tears. Beyond the physical discomfort, the actress spoke about the emotional consequences of losing the freedom to carry out everyday activities independently. Having previously enjoyed an active lifestyle, she found it difficult to depend on other people for assistance with movements she had once performed without difficulty. Daniels also explained that her health challenges contributed to her prolonged absence from social media. Rather than continuing to leave concerned followers without an explanation, she decided to address the situation directly and provide an update on her condition. Despite the seriousness of her experience, the birthday message was not entirely focused on suffering. The actress expressed gratitude for what she described as significant improvements in her recovery, explaining that the progress encouraged her to speak publicly. Her remarks indicated that she was experiencing positive changes, although she did not claim to have recovered completely. She also offered no definite timetable for returning to her previous level of physical activity or resuming regular public appearances. Faith featured prominently in the actress's reflections. Daniels said she had turned to prayer during the most difficult periods and continued to place her hopes for healing in God. Her birthday message included a prayer for peace and stability as she entered another stage of her life. Importantly, Daniels did not disclose a specific medical diagnosis. She provided no confirmed explanation of the underlying illness, the treatments she was receiving or whether doctors had established the cause of her symptoms. Consequently, reports attributing her condition to any particular disease would go beyond the information she made public. The actress's disclosure also included developments in her personal life. She revealed that she had moved into a residence closer to her children, explaining that proximity to them was an important consideration when choosing where to live. Daniels said she initially rented the property but later developed an interest in owning it. After making an initial payment towards the house, she received assistance and gifts that contributed to furnishing her new home. She expressed appreciation for those gestures, describing the support she received as another reason for gratitude during a year marked by difficult experiences. The actress also recalled an emotional visit to her children, explaining that seeing them brought back memories of holding them for the first time after their births. Her account reflected the importance she placed on maintaining a close relationship with them during her recovery. Daniels shares two children with businessman and politician Ned Nwoko, whom she married in 2019. Their relationship subsequently became the subject of public controversy following their separation and disagreements that attracted widespread media attention. However, the actress did not establish any connection between those marital difficulties and her present medical condition. Her birthday disclosure concentrated primarily on her health, recovery, children and personal living arrangements. The announcement attracted expressions of concern and encouragement from followers and colleagues in Nigeria's entertainment industry. Among those offering birthday wishes and prayers were actresses Destiny Etiko and Iyabo Ojo, who expressed support for Daniels as she continued recovering. Daniels has remained a recognisable figure in Nollywood since beginning her acting career at a young age. Her work in Nigerian films, combined with her substantial social media presence, has made her personal and professional developments subjects of considerable public attention. Her decision to disclose her mobility difficulties therefore marked a significant departure from the glamorous appearances frequently associated with her public image. Rather than presenting an elaborate birthday celebration, she used the occasion to explain an experience that had largely remained outside public view. The video also highlighted the distinction between outward appearances and personal circumstances. Daniels explained that the physical limitations she experienced had affected activities that previously formed part of her everyday routine, making recovery particularly meaningful. Although her account offered an encouraging update, several important details remain private. Neither a confirmed diagnosis nor comprehensive medical information has been publicly provided, and the extent of her continuing treatment remains unknown. For her followers, the immediate development is that the actress has acknowledged months of serious mobility challenges while reporting improvements in her condition. Her message provided an explanation for her absence without presenting her recovery as complete. As Daniels begins another year, her birthday has become an occasion for reflecting on health, family and the support she has received. The actress remains hopeful about her recovery, expressing gratitude for progress already made while continuing to seek strength for the challenges ahead. 📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews

INEC Drops Pantami From Final Gombe Governorship Candidates List Ahead Of 2027 Election

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Regina Daniels Marks 25th Birthday in Wheelchair, Reveals Months of Severe Pain and Struggle to Walk

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