2019: Why I want to lead Nigeria -Dankwambo
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Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, has said that he decided to join the presidential race for the 2019 general elections to help salvage Nigeria from the cesspit of incompetent and corrupt leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This was disclosed to BusinessDay on Sunday by an aide to the governor, who does not want his name on print, adding that the governor’s formal declaration on Saturday to run for the presidency under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), signifies hope for the nation especially people of the north east, who he said should not lobby to ascend to the highest political office in the country.
Dankwambo formally declared his intention in a tweet on Saturday even as pleaded for support from delegates of the party from the north east and others ahead of the presidential primary election.
The former Accountant General of the Federation, who addressed a delegate meeting at the new Banquet Hall of the State House, Gombe, said that consultation “is ongoing on the need for the party to pick its candidate from the zone.”
Dankwambo’s entry into the presidential race will pitch him against other formidable contestants, who have earlier declared for the presidency under the PDP platform. He will slug it out with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi, former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa and former Jigawa State Governor, Tanimu Turaki.
Dankwambo will also battle for the PDP presidential ticket with other party bigwigs such as former Kano state governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal who may soon declare for the presidency.
Despite these formidable opponents, the Governor of Gombe state is waxing strong that he stands a chance in the PDP Presidential primary following his widespread consultations.
“We have been making consultations and that consultations are ongoing. We felt this time around, our zone should be giving opportunity to conduct and preside over the affairs of the country. “We have sent delegations to various zones so that they can have the taste of the North-east this time,” he said.
Innocent Odoh, Abuja