Goje Pressured to Join PDP for Pantami's Gubernatorial Bid

There is significant pressure on former Gombe State Governor Muhammad Danjuma Goje to defect from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to support its governorship candidate, Prof Ali Isa Pantami, for the 2027 elections. Both former Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and Pantami have been lobbying Goje since it became evident that the APC would not offer him a ticket.

Goje, who has represented the Gombe Central Senatorial District since 2011, faced a setback when the APC primary declared DCP Mohammed Ahmed (Rtd) as the candidate for the district. Goje disputed the primary results, claiming they were fake, but his name was not included in the list of successful candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Sources indicate ongoing discussions between Goje and the PDP regarding his defection, which could enhance the party's prospects in the upcoming elections. Goje was a founding member of the PDP and served as Minister of State for Power and Steel under former President Olusegun Obasanjo before joining the APC in 2014.