Former Gombe State Governor and Senator representing Gombe Central, Muhammad Danjuma Goje, has dismissed speculation that he plans to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming his commitment to the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Goje, a founding member of the APC and a fourth-term senator, made the clarification on Saturday when thousands of his supporters from Gombe Central and neighbouring communities gathered at his residence in Gombe to seek clarification about his political future.
The gathering followed reports that the senator was considering defecting to another political party.
Addressing the supporters, Goje said he remained a member of the APC and would continue to support the party.
“I have not defected to any political party. As a founding member of the APC, I remain a member of the party,” he said.
Goje explained that, given his long political career and the positions he had held, he had no reason to leave the APC simply to seek another term in the Senate.
“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,” he added.
He urged his supporters to remain loyal to the APC and cooperate with the party’s leadership, describing it as a political platform they had helped build.
“This is our house. We built it, and we will continue to work for its success,” Goje said.
Reflecting on his nearly 45-year political career, the former governor said he had contested elections eight times since the Second Republic and emerged victorious in all of them.
Goje recalled serving in the Gombe State House of Assembly, completing two terms as governor and winning election to the Senate five times, including his first senatorial victory during the military administration of the late General Sani Abacha.
He also served as a minister between 1999 and 2001.
The senator said he had initially announced his retirement from active politics in 2019 but returned to contest the 2023 Senate election following persistent appeals from his supporters.
According to Goje, his supporters purchased the nomination form for him and assured him they would handle the campaign, even though he did not personally campaign during the electioneering period.
He said he ultimately won the election, expressing gratitude to his supporters for their continued loyalty and confidence in him.
Goje also assured his supporters that his empowerment programmes would continue regardless of whether he remained in the Senate.
“I want to assure you that my empowerment programmes will continue whether I am in the Senate or not,” he said.
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