Goje clears the air on defection rumors, stays with APC

A former Governor and current Senator for Gombe Central, Danjuma Goje, has denied rumors that he plans to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Goje spoke out after hundreds of his supporters from Gombe Central and nearby areas came to his house. They wanted to know about his political plans for the 2027 general elections.

His Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ahmed Kashere, shared this information in a statement from Abuja on Monday.

While addressing the supporters, Goje, who helped start the APC, confirmed that he is still a member of the party. He urged his supporters to stay loyal to the APC.

He said, “I have not defected to any political party. As a founding member of the APC, I remain a member of the party. Given my years of service and the positions I have held in the country, it would be inappropriate for me, at this stage of my life, to decamp to another party simply to contest for the Senate.

“However, it would have been a different ball game if I were contesting for a higher position.

“Therefore, I am urging all my supporters across Gombe and beyond to cooperate with our leaders and remain loyal to the party. This is our house. We built it, and we will continue to work for its success.”

Goje, who has been involved in politics for nearly 45 years, looked back on his career. He mentioned that he has contested elections eight times and won every time.

“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.

“During these over four decades, I was elected a member of a State House of Assembly and served as a two-term governor. I also won election to the Senate five times, the first being during the Abacha era. I served as a minister between 1999 and 2001,” he stated.

The former governor noted that he had planned to retire from politics in 2019 but returned to run for the Senate in 2023 due to pressure from his supporters.

“In 2019, I told my people at Pantami Stadium that I would not contest any political position again. But they prevailed on me to contest for the Senate again. They bought the form for me and told me not to come for the campaign because they would campaign for me.

“I won even when I did not come out to campaign during the electioneering period. I remain grateful to Allah and my people for their loyalty and for believing in me,” he said.

Goje, who has served Gombe Central in the Senate for many terms, also promised his supporters that his empowerment programs will continue, no matter his political position.

This clarification comes as political activities ramp up ahead of the 2027 general elections. Politicians and their supporters are getting ready for the upcoming polls.