The Inter-Party Advisory Council on Thursday endorsed past governors Danjuma Goje of the All Progressives Congress, and Ibrahim Dankwambo of the Peoples Democratic Party for the senatorial election on Saturday.
Goje, representing Gombe Central, is contesting for a return to the Senate; while Dankwambo, who is seeking to represent Gombe North, will be slugging it out with Ahmed Alkali of the APC.
Other prominent politicians in the list include; former Director of Fidelity Bank, Anthony Yaro, who is contesting for Senate to represent Gombe South under the platform of the PDP and former House member representing Billiri/Balanga Isa Ali.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the council, Mohammed Doho, APGA chairman, Gombe State and Secretary of IPAC in the state, said its decision was based on the credentials of each candidate.
He said, “We are here on behalf of 13 political parties to endorse Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central, APC), Anthony Yaro (Gombe South, PDP), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe North, PDP), Isa Ali (PDP, Billiri/Balanga, House of Reps), Aishatu Ahmad Akko (PDP, House of Reps), Inuwa Garba Yalmatu Deba (PDP, House of Representatives), Abdullahi El-Rasheed Dukku/Nafada (House of Representatives, PDP).
He disclosed that the Accord, YPP political parties failed to endorse Dukku/Nafada House of Representatives consensus candidate, whereas the others which include; AAC, ADP, APGA, APM, APP,BP, PDP, NNPP, NRM, SDP, PRP, supported the decision.
Explaining why IPAC decided to endorse almost all PDP candidates, with one APC senatorial candidate, Jacob Lazarus, who is chairman of SDP said the council arrived at the conclusion after fact checking their stand on delivering dividends of democracy, describing the decision as strategic allegiance.
“We are not concerned about party affiliation this project is across party line because our focus is on credibility of candidates what he can deliver to the people,” he said.
Ruling out monetary inducement as reason for the endorsement, Lazarus added, “We are not materialistic, we are not driven by materialism. We are focused on human value; we pursue politics from issue-based approach.”
