Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, a former Governor of Gombe State, has instructed his supporters not to vote for certain candidates in the upcoming general elections. At a gathering at his residence in Gombe on Sunday, Goje specifically mentioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the Gombe Central senatorial district and two House of Representatives seats. He expressed disappointment that some party members denied him a return ticket to the senate, describing it as a betrayal.
Goje, who has represented the Gombe Central Senatorial District since 2011, did not mince words in his address to supporters. He stated that loyalty should be to the people, not to individuals who work against their interests. The senator emphasized that his supporters are free to vote for any candidate from another party, but not for those who denied him the ticket. This move is seen as a significant development in the lead-up to the general elections.
The APC candidates Goje referred to are DCP Mohammed Ahmed (Rtd) for the Gombe Central Senatorial District, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo for Akko Federal Constituency, and Hon. Inuwa Garba for Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituencies. Goje's directive has sparked interest among political observers, who believe this could impact the electoral fortunes of the mentioned candidates. The senator's supporters have been instructed to await further directives on candidates to avoid in other elections.
Goje's decision to deny support to certain APC candidates stems from his experience in the party's primary election last May. DCP Mohammed Ahmed (Rtd) was declared the winner of the Gombe Central Senatorial District seat, effectively denying Goje a return ticket. The senator described this as a betrayal by some forces within the party, which he believes do not have the best interests of the people at heart.
In his address, Goje used a metaphor to emphasize his point, saying, "A believer is not stung more than one time on the same hands, I was stung two times, do you want me to be stung again for the third time?" This remark suggests that Goje feels he has been wronged twice and is cautious about being hurt again. He urged his supporters to exercise their voting rights wisely.
The development has raised questions about the potential impact on the APC's performance in Gombe State. Goje's influence and popularity in the state could significantly affect the election outcomes. While efforts to obtain reactions from the state chapter of the APC and the mentioned candidates were unsuccessful, political observers believe this development will be closely watched in the coming weeks.
Goje's supporters and other stakeholders will be keenly observing how this plays out in the elections. The senator's directive has added a layer of complexity to the electoral landscape in Gombe State. As the elections approach, it remains to be seen how this will affect the fortunes of the candidates in question and the overall outcome of the polls.
Key points
- Goje instructs supporters not to vote for APC candidates who denied him a return ticket.
- The development could impact the electoral fortunes of the mentioned APC candidates.
- Goje's influence and popularity in Gombe State may affect the election outcomes.
