Former Gombe State Governor and Senator representing Gombe Central, Danjuma Goje, has dismissed reports that he has defected from the All Progressives Congress.
Goje spoke on Saturday amid speculation over his political future after his name was excluded from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Addressing supporters at his residence in Gombe, the former governor said he was still consulting political stakeholders before deciding on his next political move.
He urged his supporters to remain calm, loyal to the party’s leadership and prepared for further instructions.
“Do not listen to betrayers, go home, prepare, be loyal to our party leaders and wait for my final order,” Goje said.
He further clarified that he had not joined another political party, although he was engaging with various stakeholders.
“I am not defecting to any party now. I am consulting stakeholders, but I promise I will be with my supporters with or without a Senate ticket,” he said.
The development follows Goje’s failure to secure the APC senatorial ticket for Gombe Central ahead of the 2027 elections. Mohammed Ahmed reportedly emerged as the party’s candidate after the primary election.
Goje’s camp had previously expressed reservations about the party’s consensus arrangement that resulted in his replacement, with his supporters questioning the process.
His omission from INEC’s final list has since intensified speculation that he could seek another political platform, particularly following reported approaches from opposition figures, including the Peoples Democratic Party.
However, Goje’s latest statement suggests that he has yet to make a final decision on whether to remain with the APC or pursue his political ambitions elsewhere.
Goje served as Gombe State governor from 2003 to 2011 before moving to the Senate, where he has represented Gombe Central since 2011. He was re-elected for a fourth term in 2023.
