Former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje has dismissed speculation over his political future, saying he remains a member of the APC but has not yet decided whether to contest the 2027 Senate election.
Senator Danjuma Goje addressing a large gathering of his constituents and supporters at his Pantami residence in Gombe.
The longest-serving senator in Gombe State, 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 on his political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Goje made the clarification while addressing a large gathering of his constituents and supporters at his Pantami residence in Gombe.
His statement comes amid weeks of speculation that the former governor could leave the APC following the political crisis surrounding the party’s 2027 senatorial ticket for Gombe Central.
“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.
Supporters of Senator Danjuma Goje at his Pantami residence in Gombe.
Goje, however, did not disclose whether he would contest the 2027 election, saying he was still carefully considering his options and would personally communicate his final decision to his supporters.
The former Gombe State governor said his consideration of another Senate bid was largely influenced by pressure from his supporters, particularly young people, rather than a personal desire 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 been involved in politics for more than 45 years, during which he contested eight elections, participated in eight party primaries and won all eight general elections he contested.
Goje served as governor of Gombe State for two terms between 2003 and 2011 before moving to the National Assembly, where he has represented Gombe Central in the Senate since 2011.
He recalled that shortly after Governor Inuwa Yahaya assumed office in 2019, he told his supporters that he would no longer seek elective office.
According to him, he had attained virtually every major political position he desired, except the presidency or vice presidency.
“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.
Goje said he eventually agreed to seek another Senate term in 2023 after considerable pressure from his supporters, who, according to him, organised his campaign and mobilised resources despite his decision not to campaign personally.
He said the circumstances surrounding the 2027 election were similarly complicated, stressing that he had initially not intended to contest.
Gombe Central Ticket Dispute
The uncertainty surrounding Goje’s political future follows a major dispute over the APC’s 2027 senatorial ticket for Gombe Central.
The district comprises Akko and Yamaltu Deba Local Government Areas, with political succession and rotation emerging as major issues in the contest for the seat.
Goje’s supporters have argued that there is no constitutional or statutory provision limiting the number of terms a senator can serve. Proponents of rotation, however, have maintained that equity and political balance require the senatorial seat to move to Yamaltu Deba after Goje’s long tenure.
Supporters of Senator Danjuma Goje at his Pantami residence in Gombe.
Goje has served four consecutive terms in the Senate since 2011 and, if he completes his current term in 2027, would have spent 16 years representing Gombe Central in the upper chamber.
The issue has generated competing consultations and visits by political stakeholders from Akko and Yamaltu Deba to the Gombe State Government.
While Goje’s supporters have advocated his continued representation, groups backing rotation have argued that Yamaltu Deba should have an opportunity to produce the next senator after his four consecutive terms.
APC Primary Produces Ahmadu
The dispute intensified during the APC’s preparations for the 2027 elections following the emergence of retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmadu, as the party’s candidate for Gombe Central.
The development created uncertainty over Goje’s immediate political future within the APC and fuelled speculation that the veteran politician could seek another platform.
But at his Pantami residence, Goje made it clear that he had not decided to leave the APC.
He also urged his supporters not to be provoked by political developments or unverified reports.
“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’
Suggesting that he could still play a significant role in the 2027 political contest, Goje told his supporters that they should not limit their assessment to candidates within the APC.
He said all candidates and political parties would be considered, naming the APC, PDP, ADC, PRP and NDC among others.
“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.
The statement is likely to generate fresh political calculations in Gombe Central as the 2027 electoral contest draws closer.
Goje’s political influence in Gombe State has endured for decades. He has served in the State House of Assembly, as Minister of State for Power and Steel, as governor and subsequently as senator.
In the Senate, he has chaired influential committees, including the Appropriations Committee.
‘Whether I Contest Or Not, I Am With You’
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his next political move, Goje assured his supporters that his relationship with them would continue regardless of whether he eventually contests the 2027 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 appealed to his supporters to work with political leaders at the state and national levels and maintain unity.
“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 unanswered the central question of whether he will seek another term in the Senate, pursue another political platform or retire from elective politics.
What he has made clear, however, is that he remains a member of the APC, leaving his next political declaration as a potentially significant development in the realignment ahead of the 2027 elections in Gombe State.
