Gombe PDP Leader Dankwambo Appears on Ruling APC Campaign Council List

Confusion has spread across Gombe State following the publication of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council list, which includes the name of Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo. National newspapers revealed on Monday that the state's PDP chief, who previously served as governor, has been named as part of the ruling party's electoral machinery. This development has created significant uncertainty among PDP supporters, who view Dankwambo as the primary face of their party in the region.

Dankwambo is currently contesting for the Gombe North Senatorial seat in the upcoming 2027 general elections under the PDP platform. However, his inclusion on the APC list has raised immediate questions regarding his political allegiance. Specifically, observers are questioning whether the senator has defected to the ruling party or if he has entered into a strategic alliance with the APC while relinquishing his independent contest. As of the time of reporting, neither Senator Dankwambo nor the Gombe chapter of the APC has provided an official explanation for his presence on the list.

Background

The 666-member campaign council is chaired by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and is designed to drive the APC's campaign ahead of the 2027 elections. The list features several prominent figures within the party, including Senators Muhammad Danjuma Goje, Usman Bayero Nafada, and Saidu Ahmed Alkali. Notably, Dankwambo is ranked seventh on the main 666-member council and sixth on the 66-member advisory council, placing him above several other key APC chieftains in the state.

Daily Trust reports that Governor Yahaya is reportedly seeking to displace Dankwambo from the political landscape using the APC platform. This move comes at a time of heightened political tension in the state. Professor Isa Ali Pantami, the ex-head of the Communications and Digital Economy portfolio, is now battling to regain ballot access under the PDP banner following his exclusion from the final roster published by INEC. Furthermore, insiders suggest that Dankwambo aligns with the PDP faction commanded by Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory minister.

Why it matters

The appearance of an opposition leader on the ruling party's campaign list is a major talking point in Gombe State politics. As a former governor and serving political leader, Dankwambo’s status makes this development highly significant for the balance of power in the state. The incident has sparked debate among party members and political analysts about the integrity of the campaign structures and the potential for cross-party alliances. For PDP supporters, the move is seen as confusing and potentially damaging to their party's cohesion, while for the APC, it raises questions about the rationale behind including a prominent opposition figure in their core campaign team. The lack of clarification from both parties has left the political situation in Gombe in a state of flux, with stakeholders waiting for official statements to understand the true nature of the arrangement.

What happens next

According to the most recent updates, Senator Dankwambo has remained silent regarding the role, while the Gombe branch of the APC has offered no justification for enlisting an opposition figurehead into its campaign team. No further dates or pending decisions have been announced regarding this specific controversy. The situation remains unresolved, with political actors and the public awaiting official responses from both the senator and the party leadership to determine the future trajectory of the 2027 electoral campaign in the state.