‘I didn’t intend to contest’ – Goje dismisses claims Gov Yahaya retired him

Former Gombe State Governor and Senator for Gombe Central, Mohammed Danjuma Goje, clarified on Tuesday in an interview with BBC Hausa that he voluntarily decided to step aside from the 2027 election. In response to controversy surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary, where he lost the party’s ticket, Goje dismissed claims that Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya had forced him out of politics.

Goje explained that his decision to potentially retire from politics was based on his belief that it was time to let younger politicians take over. He informed his supporters in Gombe that he would not contest the 2027 election. He rejected suggestions that Governor Yahaya had played a role in his political retirement, stating that it was Allah's decision, not Inuwa Yahaya’s, that led to his stepping aside.

Goje added that he could still return to the Senate if he chose to contest under another political party and won its ticket. He did not view his failure to secure the APC ticket as a betrayal, emphasizing that everything comes from Allah and praised his ability to show gratitude in politics. He revealed that the decision to contest in 2019 was made in 2019 but was persuaded to do so by his supporters and constituents.

The former governor acknowledged that his long experience in politics had altered the dynamics of his contests. He explained that he had shifted focus from competing against political opponents to competing against younger politicians who he had helped bring into politics. Goje highlighted that the PDP candidate who won the recent senatorial contest was akin to a grandchild to him, and expressed hope that his support from followers would enable him to win another election if he decided to return to the race.

However, he believed that his age and years of public service warranted giving younger politicians a chance.