The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State is mounting pressure on former Governor and Senator representing Gombe Central, Muhammad Danjuma Goje, to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and support the party’s governorship candidate, Prof. Ali Isa Pantami, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to reports, former Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and Pantami have been lobbying Goje to join the PDP after the former governor failed to secure the APC ticket for the Gombe Central Senatorial District.
Goje, who has represented Gombe Central in the Senate since 2011 after serving two terms as governor, lost the APC senatorial primary to retired DCP Mohammed Ahmed. He subsequently disputed the outcome, describing the announced result as fake and insisting that the authentic result would be released in Abuja.
With Goje’s name reportedly absent from the list of successful National Assembly candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), sources close to him said discussions are ongoing over a possible move to the PDP.
The former governor remains an influential political figure in Gombe, with supporters and political associates across the state’s three senatorial districts. PDP stakeholders believe his defection could significantly strengthen the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is also reportedly interested in attracting Goje, highlighting his importance in the state’s political calculatio
The PDP’s efforts to win Goje’s support are closely linked to the emergence of Prof. Ali Isa Pantami as the party’s governorship candidate.
Political observers believe Pantami’s growing support, particularly among youths and grassroots voters, has improved the PDP’s prospects, while Goje’s political structure could further strengthen the opposition party if he eventually joins its ranks.
A political commentator, Musa Tijjani, said a possible alliance between Pantami and Goje could significantly alter the political landscape in Gombe State.
Goje was one of the founding members of the PDP in 1998 and served as Minister of State for Power and Steel before becoming a two-term governor of Gombe under the party. He later joined the APC in 2014 and helped the party defeat the PDP in the state in the 2019 elections.
His reported disagreement with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has since deepened, culminating in his defeat at the APC senatorial primary.
If Goje eventually defects to the PDP, political observers believe the move could reshape alliances across Gombe State and present a major challenge to the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
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