Dankwambo wins Gombe North Senatorial ticket after candidate steps down for him

GOVERNOR Hassan Dankwambo has come back from the political wilderness securing the nomination as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Gombe North Senatorial District after the nominee Mohammed Usman Ribadu stood down for him.

Last weekend, Governor Dankwambo was one of the candidates who ran for the PDP's presidential ticket but ended up in fifth place with 111 votes. His tenure as Gombe State governor is due to expire in May and having served the constitutionally-allowed two terms, Governor Dankwambo is due to leave Government House.

Having lost out on his bid to become the PDP flagbearer, the governor returned to Gombe this week and was received by his supporters at a rally on Thursday. At the event, Mr Ribadu said he was stepping down to allow Governor Dankwambo who he said is more qualified, to represent Gombe North at the senate.

According to him, Governor Dankwambo deserved to go to the senate because of his achievements in office. Governor Dankwambo had reportedly backed Mr Ribadu to win the ticket, providing himself with an escape route in the event he lost the PDP presidential primaries.