GOMBE — Senator Danjuma Goje has dismissed speculation that he has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that he remains a member of the ruling party while consulting with his supporters and considering his political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Goje made the clarification while addressing a large gathering of his constituents and political supporters at his Pantami residence in Gombe.
The former Gombe State governor said he had neither joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nor defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) or New Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), stressing that he remains an APC member.
“Before you leave, nobody should go home and say that Danjuma Goje has returned to the PDP. I have not defected to the PDP. I have not joined the ADC, PRP or NDC either. As of now, I am in the APC. At present, I am an APC member,” he told the gathering.
His remarks come amid weeks of speculation over his political future following growing tensions surrounding the APC’s 2027 senatorial ticket for Gombe Central.
Goje, who has represented Gombe Central in the Senate since 2011, however, stopped short of confirming whether he would contest the 2027 election.
He said he was still carefully considering his options and would personally communicate his final decision to his supporters when the time comes.
According to him, the possibility of seeking another term in the Senate was largely driven by pressure from his supporters, particularly young people, rather than a personal ambition to remain in elective office.
“I am not contesting for myself. I am doing this because of you, the people,” he said.
45 Years in Politics
Reflecting on his political career, Goje said he had spent more than 45 years in politics, during which he contested eight elections, participated in eight party primaries and emerged victorious in all eight general elections he contested.
He served as governor of Gombe State for two terms from 2003 to 2011 before moving to the National Assembly, where he has represented Gombe Central for four consecutive terms.
Goje recalled that shortly after Governor Inuwa Yahaya assumed office in 2019, he informed his supporters that he would no longer seek elective office.
He said he had already occupied virtually every major political position he aspired to, apart from the offices of President and Vice President.
“I have been a minister, a member of the State House of Assembly, a governor and a senator. I have occupied virtually every major political position,” he said.
According to him, he eventually agreed to contest the 2023 senatorial election after considerable pressure from his supporters, who organised his campaign and mobilised resources despite his decision not to personally campaign.
He said the circumstances surrounding the 2027 election were similarly complicated, stressing that he had initially not intended to seek another term.
Gombe Central Ticket Dispute
The uncertainty over Goje’s political future has been linked to the dispute surrounding the APC’s 2027 senatorial ticket for Gombe Central.
The senatorial district comprises Akko and Yamaltu Deba Local Government Areas, where political succession and rotation have become major issues in the contest for the seat.
While Goje’s supporters maintain that there is no constitutional or statutory provision limiting the number of terms a senator can serve, advocates of rotation argue that political equity and balance require the seat to move to Yamaltu Deba after Goje’s lengthy tenure.
Goje has served four consecutive terms in the Senate since 2011. If he completes his current tenure in 2027, he would have spent 16 years representing Gombe Central in the upper chamber.
The disagreement has led to competing consultations and engagements by political stakeholders from Akko and Yamaltu Deba with the Gombe State Government.
While Goje’s supporters have continued to advocate for his return to the Senate, those backing rotation insist that Yamaltu Deba should be given the opportunity to produce the next senator for the district.
APC Primary Produces Ahmadu
The political situation became more complicated following the emergence of retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmadu, as the APC candidate for Gombe Central ahead of the 2027 election.
The development intensified speculation about Goje’s future within the party and raised questions about whether the veteran politician would seek another political platform.
However, addressing his supporters at his Pantami residence, Goje made it clear that he had not made any decision to leave the APC.
He also appealed to his supporters to remain calm and avoid being influenced by unverified information or political provocations.
“Remain calm and patient. Do not listen to people who want to deceive you or spread false information,” he told them.
‘I Know Every Candidate’
Goje also suggested that his political assessment ahead of 2027 would not be restricted to candidates contesting under the APC.
He told his supporters that they would consider candidates and political parties across the political spectrum, including the APC, PDP, ADC, PRP and NDC.
“We will look at all the candidates. As I told you, all the candidates—not only those in the APC—but those in the APC, PDP, ADC, NDC, PRP and all the other political parties—everyone, without exception. We will consider all of them,” he said.
His comments are expected to trigger fresh political calculations in Gombe Central as political parties and aspirants intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Goje has remained a major political figure in Gombe State for decades. His political career has taken him from the State House of Assembly to the federal executive, where he served as Minister of State for Power and Steel, before becoming governor and later senator.
During his time in the Senate, he has chaired influential committees, including the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
‘Whether I Contest or Not, I Am With You’
Despite leaving his 2027 plans undecided, Goje assured his supporters that his relationship with them would remain intact regardless of whether he eventually contests the election.
“Whether I contest or I do not contest, all the programmes and activities aimed at supporting our people will continue,” he said.
He also urged his supporters to maintain unity and work with political leaders at both the state and national levels.
“I am still considering this matter. I will tell you whether it will happen or not. Whatever the outcome, I am with you,” he said.
For now, Goje has left open the question of whether he will seek another term in the Senate, support another candidate, pursue a different political platform or withdraw from elective politics.
What he has made clear, however, is that he remains a member of the APC.
His eventual decision is expected to have significant implications for the political realignment and 2027 electoral contest in Gombe Central.
