Former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, has lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Gombe Central Senatorial District, ending his bid for a fifth term in the Senate.
Goje was defeated in the party’s direct primary election conducted on Monday across Akko and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas by retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmed, believed to be the preferred candidate of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Announcing the results, the Returning Officer, Dr. Habu Dahiru, declared that Ahmed secured 42,785 votes to defeat Goje, who polled 10,425 votes.
Ahmed had earlier emerged as the consensus candidate of the APC for the senatorial contest.
The outcome marks a major political upset in Gombe Central, where Goje has maintained a strong influence since leaving office as governor in 2011 and subsequently representing the district in the Senate.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, Ahmed described the primary election as peaceful and orderly, attributing his victory to the people’s desire for change and stronger representation at the National Assembly.
“You can see the excitement among the people. Many believe the time has come for Yamaltu-Deba to have a stronger voice at the national level,” he said.
He added that his aspiration was not targeted at denying anyone the opportunity to contest, but was driven by popular demand for a new political direction in the district.
Efforts to obtain reaction from Senator Goje’s camp were unsuccessful, as one of his aides declined comment, saying he needed clearance from his principal before speaking to journalists.
