I Won’t Leave APC, Says Senator Goje

Amid speculation over what political step he would take following the controversy surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections, which resulted in his losing the party’s senatorial ticket, former Gombe State Governor and Senator representing Gombe Central, Mohammed Danjuma Goje, has said he will continue to support the APC to ensure the party’s success in the forthcoming election.

There had earlier been speculation that the influential politician from Gombe State, in Nigeria’s North-East, might defect to another political party to challenge what he regarded as an attempt to prevent him from contesting under the APC, despite being the incumbent senator.

However, in an interview with the BBC, Senator Goje said he regarded his failure to secure the APC ticket as an act of destiny ordained by God. He added that he was satisfied that he had attained the highest political milestones he could reasonably pursue and that the time had come to “step aside and allow the younger generation to come in”.

“After all, we were among those who formed the APC, and it would not be right for someone to build a house and then abandon it,” Senator Goje said.

He added: “I went to Gombe and explained to my supporters that since there had been a setback in my attempt to contest under my party, the APC, I had decided not to contest.”

The senator explained that he had spent 16 years in the Nigerian Senate, where he had held various positions, and therefore believed that the appropriate thing to do was to thank God.

Responding to suggestions that the APC had betrayed him after being denied the opportunity to contest despite his contributions to the establishment and consolidation of the party’s government at both the federal and Gombe State levels, Senator Goje said: “As a Muslim, I know that everything comes from God. It is not a matter of betrayal. In politics, all I can do is show gratitude.”

Senator Goje said he had decided as far back as 2019 not to seek another term in the Senate. However, he said the people he represented later pressured him to run for reelection, leading to his return to the Senate and his continued service as their representative.