Danjuma Goje, a former Governor of Gombe State and long-serving lawmaker, has lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Gombe Central.
Mr. Goje, who has occupied the legislative seat since 2011, suffered a defeat against Jarman Deba in the primary election held within the Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area.
The returning officer declared that Mr. Deba, a retired deputy commissioner of police, gathered 21,793 votes, while Mr. Goje managed to secure 2,620 votes.
This development signifies a major political turnaround in Gombe Central, a district where Mr. Goje has been the dominant political figure for more than ten years following his time as governor between 2003 and 2011.
Followers of Mr. Deba celebrated the outcome, labeling the win as a new political path for the senatorial zone going into the 2027 general elections.
An ongoing dispute between Mr. Goje, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, and the State APC leadership played a role in the outcome of his primary challenge.
Following the exercise, party stakeholders urged APC members to stay unified, emphasizing the importance of reconciliation and teamwork before the general election.
