Former Gombe State Governor and serving senator, Ibrahim Dankwambo, has declared former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the political leader of Northern Nigeria, despite Atiku’s recent alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Dankwambo made the statement on Sunday night during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Gombe.
“In the North, Atiku Abubakar is our leader. We love and respect him. By virtue of his position as a former vice president, he remains our leader—whether he is in the PDP or ADC,” Dankwambo said.
The senator urged members to focus on rebuilding the PDP rather than getting entangled in leadership tussles.
“It’s time to build our party. As of today, it’s not about the leadership of the party,” he noted.
Dankwambo also named other prominent northern figures deserving of recognition, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and former Vice President Namadi Sambo.
“Shettima is our vice president and from our zone—we love and respect him. We hope he joins our party. Namadi Sambo is also our leader,” he said.
Addressing rumours about a possible presidential bid in 2027, Dankwambo dismissed the speculation, stating that he currently has no intention to seek the presidency again.
“I don’t have the intention now to contest for the office of President. I have done it before, but as of today, my focus is on rebuilding our party. Only God gives power,” he said.
He explained that the stakeholder meeting was convened to brief members on the outcome of the recent PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja.
According to him, the PDP remains the only political party that has successfully concluded its congresses from ward to zonal levels, adding that a date has been fixed for the national convention.
“As of today, it’s only the PDP that has completed all its congresses—ward, local government, state, and zonal levels. The national convention date has been set, and that will complete other outstanding matters,” Dankwambo stated.
Atiku, who recently resigned from the PDP, is expected to contest for the Presidency Under the ADC in 2027.