Atiku remains our leader — Sen. Dankwambo says at PDP meeting

Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, former Governor of Gombe State and current representative of Gombe North Senatorial District, has stated that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remains a revered political figure in northern Nigeria, despite his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Speaking during an expanded PDP stakeholders’ meeting, Dankwambo praised Atiku’s leadership qualities and said his political stature remains intact regardless of his current party affiliation.

“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 PDP or ADC,” Dankwambo declared.

He called on PDP members in Gombe and beyond to focus on rebuilding the party rather than engaging in early political ambition.

According to him, the priority should be to reposition the PDP to regain national strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“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.

Dankwambo also reaffirmed the PDP’s strong commitment to internal democracy, noting the party’s consistent record in conducting congresses from the ward to zonal levels.

He said preparations are underway for a national convention.

Echoing similar sentiments, Hon. Ali Isa JC, who represents Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, revealed that the party has resolved its internal crisis and plans to hold its national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Isa added that the PDP has engaged top legal practitioners to challenge the defection of elected members who won on the party’s platform but later switched allegiance, describing such acts as “stolen mandates” the party intends to recover.