Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, former Governor of Gombe State and current representative of Gombe North Senatorial District, has reiterated that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remains a highly respected political leader in northern Nigeria, even after his move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting, Dankwambo stressed Atiku’s enduring relevance and influence in the region.
“It’s time to rebuild our party, today it’s not about contesting for elections. But we have leaders we recognise like in the north; Atiku Abubakar is our leader, we love and like him and by virtue of his position as a former vice president he is our leader whether he is in PDP or ADC,” he said.
Dankwambo urged party members in Gombe and beyond to concentrate on rebuilding the PDP as it prepares for the 2027 general elections, rather than focusing on personal political ambitions at this time.
“We are not talking about contests now. All we are after is to rebuild our party and position it for victory. All those wishing to contest should wait. Let’s build the party first,” he stated.
The senator emphasized the PDP’s commitment to internal democracy, asserting that it remains the only party in the country to have successfully conducted congresses at every level, from ward to zonal and is actively planning for its national convention.
“PDP remains the only party that has held its Congress from the ward level, to the local government to the state and zonal level and is currently working to hold the national convention,” he said.
Also speaking at the meeting, Ali Isa JC, who represents Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, revealed that the PDP has resolved its internal disputes and confirmed that its upcoming national convention will take place in Ibadan, Oyo State.
He further disclosed that the party’s legal team has been tasked with pursuing defectors who secured electoral victories under the PDP platform but later switched allegiance to other parties.
The PDP, he said, has engaged “senior lawyers to challenge defectors who won elections on the PDP platform but later decamped,” with the goal of reclaiming “those stolen mandates.”
