Former Governor of Gombe State and Senator representing Gombe Central, Mohammed Danjuma Goje, has dismissed claims that Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya ended his political career, saying only God determines his political fate.
Goje spoke in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service monitored by our correspondent on Tuesday, amid speculation over his next political move following the controversy surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary.
The former governor said he would continue to support the APC despite losing the party’s senatorial ticket, adding that he had accepted the development as the will of God.
He also disclosed that he had informed his supporters in Gombe that he would not contest the 2027 election following the setback.
According to him, he had reached a stage in his political career where he should step aside and allow younger politicians to take over.
“We were there when the APC was formed, and it would not be right for someone to build a house and then abandon the house,” he said.
Goje, who has spent about 16 years in the National Assembly and held various positions in the Senate, said he was grateful to God for the opportunity to serve the country and his constituents.
Reacting to claims that he was betrayed after being denied the opportunity to seek another term despite his contributions to the APC at the national and state levels, Goje said he did not regard the development as betrayal.
“As a Muslim, I know that everything comes from Allah. It is not about betrayal. In politics, I can only show gratitude,” he said.
He disclosed that he had decided as far back as 2019 not to seek another Senate term but was persuaded by his constituents to contest again.
“This time too, the decision was made quickly. I did not intend to contest, but I was persuaded. Since Allah has decided that I will not contest, there is no cause for concern,” he said.
The former governor said his long political career had taken him from competing against established political opponents to supporting younger politicians whom he had helped nurture politically.
He described the PDP candidate who secured the senatorial ticket in the recent contest as someone who was, politically, like a grandchild to him.
On speculation that Governor Inuwa Yahaya had politically retired him, Goje said the governor lacked the authority to determine when his political career would end.
“It was not Inuwa Yahaya who retired me from politics. It was Allah who decided that I would not continue with this matter,” he said.
Goje recalled his role in the emergence of former Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and Governor Inuwa Yahaya, saying he had supported both politicians at different stages of their political careers.
“Before Inuwa Yahaya, I supported Dankwambo. Allah made him governor through my efforts. Inuwa Yahaya too became governor with Allah’s blessing and through my efforts,” he said.
He added: “He is not powerful enough to retire me, and he has not retired me. If I decide today, and I obtain the ticket of any political party, I can return to the Senate.”
Goje also cited the reaction of his supporters to his decision not to contest, saying their support indicated that he could still win an election if he decided to return to the race.
However, he maintained that, being in his seventies, he believed it was time to give younger politicians an opportunity to test their strength.
Born on October 10, 1952, in Pindiga, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, Goje has been active in Nigerian politics for several decades.
He studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and began his political career during the Second Republic as a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, before the creation of Gombe State.
He later served as Minister of State for Power and Steel under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Goje served as governor of Gombe State for two terms between 2003 and 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
After leaving office, he moved to the Senate, where he has served for several terms. He later defected from the PDP to the APC and was among the politicians associated with the formation of the ruling party.
COURTESY: vanguardngr.com
