Political Uprising Halts Goje’s Fifth Senate Run in Gombe

After nearly 16 years of political dominance in Gombe Central Senatorial District, former Governor Danjuma Goje’s bid for a fifth Senate term was halted by an unlikely challenger — retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ahmed, reports CHIMA AZUBUIKE

The political dominance of former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, in Gombe Central Senatorial District may have finally met its toughest challenge yet not from a long-established political rival or a wealthy political dynasty, but from a retired police officer whose emergence dramatically altered the political calculations within the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.

For nearly 16 uninterrupted years, Akko Local Government Area retained control of the Gombe Central Senate seat through Goje, who has represented the district since 2011 after completing two terms as governor of Gombe State. Over the years, Goje built one of the most formidable political structures in the North-East, commanding loyalty across party lines and maintaining influence that survived multiple political transitions.

But while his influence remained visible, resentment had gradually been building in neighbouring Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area, where many political stakeholders believed the district had been sidelined for too long in the distribution of political offices.

In recent months, the clamour for power rotation from Akko to Yamaltu/Deba grew louder, fuelled by arguments around fairness, equity, inclusion and political justice. What initially began as quiet conversations among elders and political stakeholders eventually transformed into a coordinated political movement demanding that leadership within Gombe Central be rotated.

At the centre of that agitation stood retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmed, whose rise from security operative to political contender would eventually disrupt Goje’s attempt to secure a fifth consecutive term in the Senate.

Ahmed, widely known in security circles for his role in counter-insurgency operations in Maiduguri during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, entered the political race with a reputation built more on discipline, operational toughness and public service than on political patronage.

Unlike many career politicians in the state, Ahmed’s appeal rested heavily on his security background and perceived integrity. His supporters portrayed him as a man whose years in service had remained largely free from political controversy.

Though retired from active police service, Ahmed insisted repeatedly during consultations that he was far from retiring from public life.

“I may be retired but I am not tired,” he declared during one of his consultations across the senatorial district.

That simple statement soon became one of the defining slogans of his campaign and resonated strongly among supporters who believed the district needed a different style of leadership.

His entry into the race followed mounting pressure from stakeholders in Yamaltu/Deba who argued that Akko had monopolised the senatorial seat for too long. Many believed that after 16 years of uninterrupted representation by one local government area, political equity demanded a shift.

The agitation gained traction within political circles, community groups and among party stakeholders who increasingly framed the debate not merely as a political contest, but as a moral issue tied to fairness and inclusion.

Stakeholders from Yamaltu/Deba repeatedly appealed to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to intervene and support a power rotation arrangement that would allow another local government area to produce the senator.

For many observers, however, involving Yahaya in a political confrontation that indirectly affected his estranged political benefactor, Goje, appeared almost inevitable.

The political relationship between Goje and Yahaya had long been viewed as strained despite both men belonging to the APC. Goje, who played a major role in Yahaya’s emergence as governor in 2019, gradually became politically distant from the governor, with both camps increasingly operating independently within the party.

As calls for power shift intensified, political observers began to see the Gombe Central contest as more than an ordinary senatorial primary. It evolved into a symbolic battle over the future direction of APC politics in Gombe State.

As the search for a formidable challenger intensified, several names surfaced within political discussions.

Former Commissioner for Trade, Nasiru Aliyu, and former Commissioner for Health, Habu Dahiru, were among those mentioned by stakeholders searching for a candidate capable of challenging Goje’s entrenched political machinery.

But eventually, attention settled firmly on Ahmed the retired police officer whose supporters described him as a man with “untainted years” in public service.

His emergence was not accidental.

Political stakeholders from Yamaltu/Deba carefully projected Ahmed as a consensus figure capable of uniting various political blocs within the district. His background in security operations, combined with his relatively low profile in partisan conflicts, made him appealing to groups seeking an alternative to established political structures.

At a high-level consultation meeting led by the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Usman Kumo, alongside party stakeholders and traditional rulers from Akko and Yamaltu/Deba, Ahmed outlined what he described as a new vision for inclusive leadership within Gombe Central.

“Justice, fair play and inclusiveness, not an entity. Everybody is a stakeholder. Everybody is going to be part of this. There is no monopoly,” Ahmed declared while responding to questions on the direction he intended to bring to the district.

The consultations themselves became politically significant.

Across communities in Akko and Yamaltu/Deba, Ahmed’s supporters organised meetings designed to reinforce the argument that leadership should not remain permanently in one local government area.

Ahmed described the consultations across the district as productive and encouraging, saying the warm reception he received reflected a growing yearning for political change.

According to him, residents were eager for a political arrangement that recognised all stakeholders regardless of political affiliation or local government origin.

Many residents who attended the consultations openly complained about what they described as political exclusion and underrepresentation despite their contributions to the APC.

For Ahmed’s supporters, the issue had evolved beyond personal ambition.

It became a struggle for recognition within the political structure of the senatorial district.

Speaking on concerns over his relatively late entry into partisan politics, Ahmed explained that he had spent most of his life serving the country through the Nigeria Police Force before venturing fully into politics.

“I have been a police officer and I retired years ago. In 2003, I contested for the House of Representatives. I bought my form, paid and contested,” he recalled.

The retired officer repeatedly expressed confidence that the political season aligned with what he described as divine timing.

“I am sure this is the time God has destined. Whatever God has at hand, nobody can stop you,” he stated.

Ahmed also carefully positioned himself as loyal to both the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Yahaya, a strategy that appeared designed to reassure party leaders that his ambition would strengthen rather than divide the APC structure in the state.

“Absolute commitment, absolute loyalty to the cause and justice and for the betterment of this country,” he said when asked about his support for the APC-led governments at the federal and state levels.

Despite facing other influential aspirants within the APC, Ahmed remained publicly optimistic about his chances during the primaries.

“By the grace and power of God, God will do everything for me,” he said confidently.

While Ahmed’s emergence attracted growing support, one of the most influential voices behind the power-shift movement remained the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Usman Kumo.

Kumo became one of the strongest advocates for political rotation within Gombe Central, openly defending the agitation as both democratic and morally justified.

According to him, the consultations held across the senatorial district were aimed at ensuring leadership was not monopolised by one local government area indefinitely.

“What is most important is inclusivity. What is important is appreciating the existence of other people. What is equally important is giving other people the opportunity to display their talents. Nobody has a monopoly of knowledge,” Kumo stated.

He argued that after nearly two decades of uninterrupted dominance by Akko, it was only fair for Yamaltu/Deba to produce the district’s senator.

“While you have two local governments forming a senatorial district, it is only moral and fair that after holding that office for consecutive 16 years, you say to your brothers, ‘Come and try, come and display your talents.’ There is nothing wrong with that,” he added.

Kumo also insisted that politics should be rooted in grassroots engagement rather than political imposition.

“You market yourself as a product. It is not about somebody sitting at the comfort of his office and saying he is going to be installed as candidate. We feel we need to go head-on, door-to-door, for the support of the people,” he stated.

For many political observers, Kumo’s open support for Ahmed signalled that powerful blocs within the APC had decided to back the power rotation campaign.

The consultations, endorsements and coordinated messaging gradually weakened the perception that Goje remained politically untouchable within Gombe Central.

Still, Goje’s supporters insisted the former governor retained enormous grassroots influence.

Goje’s political career in Gombe remains one of the most significant since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

He served as governor from 2003 to 2011 before moving to the Senate, where he became one of the state’s most influential political figures. Over the years, he cultivated loyal networks across communities, political wards and government institutions.

Even political opponents acknowledged that defeating Goje politically would require far more than ordinary campaigning.

But the political environment within the APC appeared to be shifting steadily.

As the APC primaries approached, tension rose within the party.

Goje, despite being the incumbent senator and one of the most influential politicians in Gombe politics, was noticeably absent during parts of the primary process, fuelling speculation about internal negotiations and political realignments within the party.

At the same time, reports emerged that Gombe South aspirant, Bilyaminu Babadidi, had been expelled from the party over alleged gross misconduct, further heightening political tension within the APC.

Despite the undercurrents, party leaders repeatedly described the APC primaries as peaceful, transparent and reflective of internal democracy.

Monitoring the exercise in Kumo, Usman Bello Kumo described the process as “fulfilling” and a demonstration of democracy in action.

“It’s fulfilling, very fulfilling because it is democracy in action. People are exercising their constitutional rights of selecting who is going to represent them as flag bearer of the party,” he said.

He added that despite political competition, the process remained peaceful and devoid of bitterness.

“Whenever you have two or three people aspiring for one position, there will be some level of competition. Some people will use different tactics to emerge successful, but we see it as a game. There is no bitterness or hard feelings,” he stated.

Ahmed, who also monitored the exercise in Deba, described the process as orderly, calm and peaceful.

“Everything is normal as if it is a normal day. There has been no incident and by God’s grace there will be none,” he said.

He maintained that residents of Yamaltu/Deba were enthusiastic about finally producing a senator after years of waiting.

“They are happy. God’s time has come and to God be the glory,” Ahmed said, while commending Governor Yahaya for promoting peace and inclusiveness in the state.

“The atmosphere of peace is as a result of the governor’s approach to governance and humanity,” he added.

Member representing Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency, Inuwa Garba, also projected confidence that the APC would dominate the 2027 elections across Gombe Central and the state at large.

According to him, the consultations across the district reflected a strong desire among residents for a different style of representation.

“The tempo and the scenario are very encouraging because of the yearnings and aspirations of the people. For a very long time, we have been missing something very significant in the life of the people of the entire Yamaltu/Deba constituency,” Garba said.

He described Governor Yahaya’s administration as one of the major reasons behind the APC’s growing popularity in the state.

“The governor and the government of Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya are doing well and it speaks for itself. The only thing we need is unity so we can continue the good work,” he stated.

Governor Yahaya himself later confirmed that reports reaching him from across the state indicated that the primaries were peaceful and orderly.

“Like the previous primaries conducted for the House of Representatives, everywhere is calm and peaceful,” the governor said.

Although he was the sole aspirant in his senatorial zone, Yahaya explained that he attended the exercise personally to appreciate party supporters and encourage peaceful participation.

“I decided to come and see for myself and thank the people for the overwhelming support they have for me and for the APC,” he said.

He also urged all aspirants to abide by party rules and avoid violence or inflammatory conduct.

“As far as I am concerned, all contestants are APC members. For me, there is no victor and no vanquished,” he added.

Even as Ahmed’s emergence gathered momentum, Goje’s camp resisted suggestions that the political contest was already settled.

Reacting to alleged results circulating on social media before the official declaration, Goje’s Special Assistant, Ahmed Kashere, urged party members and supporters to disregard what he described as fake and misleading results.

“On behalf of His Excellency, Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, I wish to advise the good people of Gombe Central Senatorial District, comprising Akko and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas, to disregard the fake results being circulated by enemies of our great party,” Kashere said.

He stressed that the authentic outcome would only be released officially by the APC national headquarters in Abuja.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the official result of the primary election has not yet been announced,” he added.

Despite the resistance from Goje’s supporters, political momentum increasingly appeared to have shifted irreversibly toward Ahmed and the power rotation movement.

Eventually, Ahmed emerged through a consensus arrangement reportedly backed by influential stakeholders within the APC structure in Gombe State.

The development represented one of the most dramatic political moments in recent Gombe history.

For the first time in nearly two decades, Goje’s long-standing hold on the Gombe Central Senate seat had been successfully challenged from within his own political party.

In a statement celebrating the outcome, Convener of “A Call to Action,” Benjamin Abner Mamman, described Ahmed’s emergence as the beginning of a new political era for Yamaltu/Deba.

“One of us, DCP Mohammed Ahmed RTD — Jarman Deba, Madugun Yamaltu, Makaman Dokan Gona, Gurkuman Pindiga and Gwarzon Akko — has clinched the consensus ticket to be the next Senator representing Gombe Central,” the statement read.

He thanked Governor Yahaya, traditional rulers, elders, women and youths for supporting what he described as a collective dream pursued over many years.

“The journey to greatness for Yamaltu/Deba has just begun,” he stated.

For many residents of Yamaltu/Deba, Ahmed’s emergence was celebrated not merely as a political victory but as recognition of their place within the power structure of Gombe Central.

The power-shift movement succeeded in reframing the political debate from one centred on personalities to one focused on representation, equity and inclusion.

Political analysts also viewed the development as evidence that political structures, regardless of how deeply entrenched, can become vulnerable when confronted by organised grassroots mobilisation combined with shifting alliances within ruling parties.

The development effectively signalled the end of Goje’s prolonged dominance of Gombe Central politics and marked one of the most dramatic political transitions in the state since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

For many residents, it was not merely a primary election defeat.

It represented a generational political shift, a victory for power rotation and a clear indication that even the strongest political strongholds can eventually give way to changing realities, evolving alliances and renewed demands for inclusion.