CONFUSION AS PDP SENATORIAL CANDIDATE’S NAME APPEARS IN APC CAMPAIGN LIST

October 26, 2026 • Dons Eze • 2 min read

There is confusion in Gombe State following the appearance of the name of former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, on the list of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council .

Dankwambo, who is the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, is contesting for the Gombe North Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections under the platform of the party.

The list, which was published on national dailies on Monday showed Dankwambo as a member of the APC campaign structure, a development that created confusion among the PDP supporters in the state.

The 666-member campaign council list to be chaired by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, contains the name of prominent members of the APC including Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, Senator Usman Bayero Nafada, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali and Senator Dankwmabo among other top party chieftains appointed to drive the APC campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.

Senator Dankwambo is number seven on the 666-member campaign council list and 6 on the 66-member advisory council, above the names of even some key figures of the APC in the state.

The development is already generating reactions. As a former governor and serving political leader, Dankwambo is widely regarded as the face of the PDP in Gombe State, making his appearance on the ruling APC’s campaign list a major talking point.

Governor Yahaya is seeking to displace Dankwambo via the platform of the APC.

The inclusion has sparked questions on whether the senator has defected to the APC or relinquished his contest and entered into an alliance with the ruling party in the state.

As at the time of filing this report, Senator Dankwambo is yet to clarify his position on the appointment.

Similarly, the APC in Gombe is yet to explain the rationale behind including an opposition leader in its campaign council.

The development is coming at the time former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, is fighting to secure a place on the ballot under the PDP, after he was removed in the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Our correspondent reports that Dankwambo belongs to the faction of the PDP, led by the Minister of FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike.

Dons Eze

DONS EZE, PhD, Political Philosopher and Journalist of over four decades standing, worked in several newspaper houses across the country, and rose to the positions of Editor and General Manager. A UNESCO Fellow in Journalism, Dr. Dons Eze, a prolific writer and author of many books, attended several courses on Journalism and Communication in both Nigeria and overseas, including a Postgraduate Course on Journalism at Warsaw, Poland; Strategic Communication and Practical Communication Approach at RIPA International, London, the United Kingdom, among others.