RismadarVoice Reporters
August 22, 2026
Former Gombe State Governor and Senator representing Gombe Central, Danjuma Goje, has denied reports that he has defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC, despite being omitted from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Goje, who has represented Gombe Central in the Senate since 2011, said he was still consulting political stakeholders before deciding on his next political move.
Speaking to supporters at his residence in Gombe on Saturday, the former governor urged them to remain loyal to the party’s leadership and await further instructions from him.
“Do not listen to betrayers, go home, prepare, be loyal to our party leaders and wait for my final order.”
He added:
“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.”
Goje loses APC ticket
The statement comes amid growing speculation about Goje’s political future after he lost the APC senatorial primary for Gombe Central.
Reports from the primary indicated that Mohammed Ahmed emerged as the party’s candidate for the district.
Goje was subsequently absent from INEC’s final list of candidates for the 2027 elections, further fuelling speculation that he could move to an opposition party.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reportedly shown interest in offering him its senatorial ticket.
Goje’s supporters had earlier opposed the APC’s consensus arrangement that replaced him as the party’s proposed candidate, with his camp questioning the process.
‘I will be with my supporters
Despite the speculation, Goje has not announced any decision to leave the APC.
The former governor said he was consulting stakeholders and would communicate his decision at the appropriate time.
He served as governor of Gombe State from 2003 to 2011 before entering the Senate, where he was re-elected in 2023 for a fourth term representing Gombe Central.
With his name absent from the 2027 senatorial candidates’ list, attention is now focused on whether Goje will remain in the APC, support another candidate or eventually adopt another political platform.
For now, the former governor has asked his supporters to remain calm, loyal to the party’s leadership and prepared for his eventual “final order.”
