Senator Danjuma Goje, who represents Gombe Central and previously served as governor of Gombe State, has denied any intention to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC), even after his name was omitted from the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Addressing supporters at his Gombe residence on Saturday, August 22, Goje urged them to remain calm and refrain from reacting until he is ready to speak definitively. His name was missing from INEC's final candidates list, which was released in August, confirming his absence from the 2027 senatorial race for the district.
“Do not listen to betrayers, go home, prepare, be loyal to our party leaders and wait for my final order,” he told the crowd. He also clarified his stance on a possible party switch: “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.”
How Goje Lost the APC Ticket
The senator lost the APC's Gombe Central senatorial primary to Mohammed Ahmed, who emerged as the party's candidate for the district. Goje's supporters had previously rejected a consensus arrangement within the party that removed him from consideration, raising objections about how the process was handled.
The release of INEC's final candidates list in August pushed speculation about his future into overdrive. Reports have since emerged that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made overtures to Goje, offering him its senatorial ticket for the same district.
What Comes Next for the Veteran Senator
Goje has represented Gombe Central in the Senate since 2011 and was re-elected for a fourth term in 2023. He also served as governor of Gombe State from 2003 to 2011, making him one of the most prominent political figures in the state.
With his name off the 2027 ballot, focus has shifted to whether he will back another candidate within the APC, seek a platform elsewhere, or sit out the election entirely. For now, the senator has given no indication of which path he will take, saying only that he is engaged in consultations and will make a formal announcement when the time is right.
Related Political Developments
Previously, Legit.ng reported that Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central in the National Assembly, claimed that former Senate President Bukola Saraki is working to secure President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027, even as Saraki leads the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State. Mustapha made the claim after he defected from the APC to the PDP and secured the party's ticket for the Kwara Central senatorial seat.
