By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
Confusion has erupted in Gombe State after former governor and serving senator, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, was listed among members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council for the 2027 general elections, despite his position as a leading figure in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Dankwambo’s appearance on the list has raised questions among political observers and PDP supporters over whether the former governor has changed political allegiance or whether his inclusion was an error.
The 666-member campaign council, published in national newspapers on Monday, is chaired by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and features prominent APC figures expected to coordinate the party’s campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.
Other notable names on the list include former governor and Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, Senator Usman Bayero Nafada and Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali.
Dankwambo was listed as number seven on the campaign council and also appeared at number six on the 66-member advisory council, placing him ahead of several prominent APC figures in the state.
His inclusion has attracted particular attention because he remains a major PDP leader in Gombe and is seeking re-election to represent Gombe North Senatorial District under the party’s platform in 2027.
The development has fuelled speculation about a possible political realignment in the state, especially as Governor Yahaya, the APC candidate, is expected to contest against opposition figures in the forthcoming elections.
However, there has been no official confirmation that Dankwambo has defected to the APC or reached an alliance with the ruling party.
As of the time of filing this report, the senator had not publicly explained his appearance on the list, while the Gombe State chapter of the APC had yet to clarify why a prominent opposition figure was included in its campaign structure.
The controversy comes amid other political uncertainties in Gombe, where former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, is facing difficulties securing his place on the ballot as the PDP’s governorship candidate following his omission from the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Pantami’s candidacy has been affected by disputes over the party’s primary election and compliance with electoral requirements, adding to the political tension ahead of the 2027 contest.
Dankwambo is associated with the PDP faction led by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, a development that could add another layer to the political calculations surrounding the former governor’s unexpected appearance on the APC list.
With no clarification yet from either Dankwambo or the APC, questions remain over whether the inclusion reflects a genuine political arrangement or an administrative mistake. The issue is likely to remain a subject of debate in Gombe’s political circles as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
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