Mr Ribadu disclosed this at a rally on Thursday to welcome Mr Dankwambo back to Gombe after the PDP presidential primary in Port Harcourt.
He said he was stepping down for Mr Dankwambo because the governor is better qualified to represent the district in the Senate.
Mr Ribadu, who is commissioner for special duties in the state, said Mr Dankwambo deserves to contest for the Senate because of his achievements in the last seven years as governor of the state.
Speaking at the rally, the governor said he will make consultations before deciding whether to accept the ticket or not.
“I want to make consultation, because I spent eight years as governor of the state, I want to rest to enjoy the remaining years I have in life.”
Mr Dankwambo also described the victory of Atiku Abubakar at the PDP presidential primary election as victory for the North-East region.
The governor said he would support Mr Abubakar so as to guarantee victory for the zone in 2019. He urged all his supporters to support the PDP candidate.
He said that the victory of Mr Abubakar was “well-deserved and a humbling honour to the entire North-east zone that has never had the privilege to lead Nigeria in a democratic setting since the end of the First Republic.”
Sundiata Post recalls that Dankwambo who was among the eleven presidential aspirants that slugged it out at Saturday’s PDP’s convention that took place in Amesiamaka stadium came fourth with 158 votes.
