2027: Goje denies defection from APC, tells supporters to await directive

Senator Danjuma Goje has denied defecting from Nigeria's All Progressives Congress, despite his name being absent from the Independent National Electoral Commission's final candidate list for the 2027 general elections. Goje, who has represented Gombe Central in the Senate since 2011, told supporters that he is consulting political stakeholders and will reveal his next move at the appropriate time.

Speaking at his residence in Gombe, the former governor urged his supporters to remain loyal to the party's leaders and prepare for his eventual directive. "Do not listen to betrayers, go home, prepare, be loyal to our party leaders and wait for my final order," Goje said. He assured them, "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."

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Do not listen to betrayers, go home, prepare, be loyal to our party leaders and wait for my final order.

The senator's comments come amid growing speculation about his political future. This follows his loss of the APC senatorial ticket for Gombe Central to another aspirant, Mohammed Ahmed, and his subsequent omission from INEC's final list. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party has reportedly made overtures to offer him its senatorial ticket.

Goje, who served as Gombe State governor from 2003 to 2011, was re-elected to the Senate in 2023 for a fourth term. With his name missing from the 2027 senatorial candidates' list, attention is now on whether he will remain within the APC, support another candidate, or seek an alternative platform. For now, he has asked his supporters to remain calm and await his "final order."

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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.