Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Gombe State Governor and Senator representing Gombe Central, Danjuma Goje, has issued a firm rebuttal to widespread speculation that he is planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement that has effectively doused the political tension gripping Gombe State, Goje, a founding member of the APC, reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the party and urged his supporters to remain calm and steadfast. The former governor made the declaration on Saturday, August 22, 2026, in Gombe, following a visit by hundreds of supporters who had gathered at his residence to seek clarification on his political future.
Goje's name was notably absent from the Independent National Electoral Commission's final list of candidates for the 2027 elections, a development that had fuelled intense speculation that he might be considering a move to another political platform. The senator, who has represented Gombe Central since 2011, had lost the APC senatorial primary to Mohammed Ahmed, prompting his supporters to question the party's consensus arrangement. However, in a direct and unequivocal address to his followers, Goje dismissed the defection rumours, stating emphatically: "I have not defected to any political party. As a founding member of the APC, I remain a member of the party". He stressed that it would be inappropriate for him, at this stage of his life, to decamp to another party simply to contest for the Senate. However, he left a window open, noting that "it would have been a different ball game if I were contesting for a higher position".
Reflecting on his nearly 45-year political career, Goje recounted his journey from a member of the Gombe State House of Assembly to a two-term governor, a federal minister, and a five-time senator. He proudly declared that he had contested elections eight times and won all of them. Addressing the supporters, he said: "Allah SWT has seen me through in politics and beyond. I have held many positions in this country, and not many people have had the kind of privilege I have had". He disclosed that he had initially retired from active politics in 2019 but was prevailed upon by his supporters to contest the 2023 Senate election, which he won without campaigning. "They bought the form for me and told me not to come for the campaign because they would campaign for me," he recalled. He assured his followers that his empowerment programmes would continue regardless of his political status.
Goje urged his supporters to cooperate with party leaders and remain loyal, saying: "This is our house. We built it, and we will continue to work for its success". He also appealed to them to "not listen to betrayers, go home, prepare, be loyal to our party leaders and wait for my final order". While ruling out an immediate defection, the senator confirmed that he was consulting stakeholders and would make his next move known at the appropriate time. The clarification comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, with politicians and supporters across the country positioning themselves for the polls.
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