Senator Goje Denies Defection Rumours, Says ‘I’m Fully in APC’
By Williams Attah, Gombe
Former Governor of Gombe State and serving Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, has denied reports that he has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Senator representing Gombe Central Senatorial District made the clarification while addressing his supporters at his residence in Gombe on Saturday evening.
Senator Goje said it had become necessary to set the record straight following widespread rumours that he had switched allegiance from the ruling APC to the opposition PDP.
Speculation about his alleged defection intensified after the two-term former governor and four-term senator failed to secure the APC’s ticket in the party’s recent primary election. DSP Mohammed Ahmadu (rtd) emerged as the party’s candidate after winning the primary.
The rumours were further fuelled by a video circulated on social media showing S3nator Goje alongside the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the immediate past Governor of Gombe State and serving senator, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who is the PDP leader in the state.
However, Goje told his supporters that he remains a bona fide member of the APC, although he is still consulting on his political future in response to mounting pressure from his supporters to seek another term in the Senate.
He recalled that, three months into the administration of the current Gombe State government more than seven years ago, he had announced at the Pantami Township Stadium that he would no longer contest for any political office.
“Three months into the current administration in Gombe State over seven years ago, I told everyone at the Pantami Township Stadium that I would not contest any political position again, but you prevailed on me to contest for the Senate.
You bought the form for me and told me not to come for the campaign, that you would campaign for me, and we won, even though I did not come out to campaign during the electioneering period. I remain grateful to you. Thank you for your loyalty and for believing in me,” he said.
Senator Goje further noted that he had been involved in politics for more than 45 years, contested eight elections and won all of them.
“I have been in politics for over 45 years, contested elections eight times and won all the elections. The only positions I have not contested for in Nigeria are the presidency and Senate presidency. I have held many positions in this country, and not many people have had the kind of privilege I have had,” he said.
Senator Goje appealed to his supporters to remain loyal to the leadership of their movement and await the outcome of his ongoing consultations before making any further decisions about his political future.
