Having lost his bid to clinch the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has been handed the Gombe North Senatorial ticket of the party following the stepping down of the earlier candidate, Mohammed Usman Ribadu.

Ribadu, who disclosed this while speaking during a rally held on Thursday to welcome Dankwambo back to Gombe after the presidential primary said that he was stepping down in order to allow the Governor, whom he said was more qualified to represent the district at the Senate.

Ribadu, who is presently the Commissioner of Special Duties in the state said Dankwambo deserved to contest for the Senate because of his achievements in the last seven years as Governor of the State.

Responding, Dankwambo said he would go and make adequate consultations before he accepts the offer.

“I want to make consultations first, because I have spent 8 years as Governor of the State, I want to rest to enjoy the remaining years I have to live,” Dankwambo said.

Describing the victory of Atiku Abubakar at the PDP presidential primary election as a victory for the North East region, Dankwambo said he would support Atiku so as to guarantee victory for the zone in 2019.

He added that  Atiku’s victory was seen as a well deserved and a humbling honour to the entire North East zone which he said has never had the privilege to lead Nigeria in a democratic setting since the end of the First Republic.