Former Gombe state governor and Senator representing Gombe Central, Danjuma Goje, has denied defecting from the All Progressives Congress despite his omission from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Goje, who has represented Gombe Central in the Senate since 2011, said he was consulting political stakeholders and would announce his next political move at the appropriate time.
His comments came amid renewed speculation over his political future after he lost the APC senatorial ticket for Gombe Central and was subsequently left out of INEC’s final list of candidates.
Goje speaks on alleged defection
Speaking to his supporters at his residence in Gombe on Saturday, Goje urged them to remain loyal to the party’s leaders and await his directive.
“Do not listen to betrayers, go home, prepare, be loyal to our party leaders and wait for my final order,” Goje said.
He stressed that he had not decided to leave the APC, although consultations with political stakeholders were ongoing.
“I am not defecting to any party now, however I am consulting stakeholders, but I promise I will be with my supporters with or without a Senate ticket,” he added.
Goje loses APC senatorial ticket
The development followed Goje’s loss of the APC senatorial ticket for Gombe Central.
He had contested the party’s senatorial primary but lost the ticket to another aspirant. Mohammed Ahmed emerged as the APC candidate for the district, according to reports from the primary.
Goje’s supporters had earlier rejected the party’s consensus arrangement that replaced him as the proposed candidate, with his camp questioning the process.
Opposition parties make overtures
Goje’s political future has attracted attention amid reports of overtures from opposition politicians, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party, which is reportedly interested in offering him its senatorial ticket.
However, the former governor has not announced any decision to leave the APC.
His latest comments suggest that he is keeping his options open while consulting stakeholders before deciding on his next political move.
Goje’s political career
Goje served as governor of Gombe State from 2003 to 2011 before moving to the Senate.
He was re-elected in 2023 for a fourth term representing Gombe Central.
With his name absent from the 2027 senatorial candidates’ list, attention is now focused on whether the veteran politician will remain in the APC, support another candidate or eventually seek an alternative political platform.
For now, Goje has asked his supporters to remain calm, loyal to the party’s leadership and ready for his “final order.”
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