Former Gombe State governor, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, has secured the nod of the Peoples Democratic Party to seek another term in the Senate, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest for the Gombe North seat in the 2027 elections.

Dankwambo, who currently represents Gombe North in the National Assembly, was among several aspirants cleared by the PDP screening committee for the party’s National Assembly primaries in the state. Party officials said the exercise was part of efforts to firm up the PDP’s slate ahead of an increasingly competitive race in Gombe politics.

The clearance comes against the backdrop of mounting tension in Gombe North, where Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of the All Progressives Congress has also been cleared by his party to vie for the same senatorial seat at the end of his tenure. The prospect of a direct face-off between a sitting governor and a former governor turned senator has heightened interest in the zone and beyond.

The PDP’s confirmation of Dankwambo’s eligibility was contained in a communication from the party’s Gombe State Secretariat to the National Chairman through the National Organising Secretary. The letter forwarded the list of aspirants screened and cleared for both Senate and House of Representatives contests.

The document was endorsed by the Chairman of the Screening Committee, Mohammed Dan’azumi Adamu, the committee’s Secretary, Musa Abubakar, and the PDP State Secretary, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, affirming that Dankwambo met all requirements to participate in the primaries.

The party also cleared Anthony Siyako Yaro to contest the Gombe South senatorial ticket, while Aliyu Hammadu received clearance for Gombe Central, indicating that the PDP has effectively filled all three senatorial slots in the state with vetted aspirants.

For the House of Representatives, the screening committee approved Gidado Alhaji Lawanti for Akko Federal Constituency and Mohammed Lamido for Dukku/Nafada. Dr Obed Paul Shehu was cleared for Kaltungo/Shongom, Dr Nasir Ibrahim for Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye, Shu’aibu Umar Galadima for Yamaltu/Deba, and Rambi Ibrahim Ayala for Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency.

With the screening phase concluded, attention now shifts to the PDP primaries, where Dankwambo and other aspirants will formally test their strength within the party before facing their rivals from other political platforms in the general election.