Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje has lost the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to represent Gombe Central Senatorial District for the fifth term.
In the direct primary election conducted Monday in Akko and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas, two LGAs that make up the district, DCP Mohammed Ahmed (Rtd) clinched APC in the Senatorial District.
The Returning Officer of the Election, Dr Habu Dahiru, declared that DCP Ahmed scored 42,785 votes against Senator Goje’s 10,425 votes.
Ahmed was earlier picked as the consensus candidate of the APC for the Senate seat in Gombe central.
Senator Goje, has been representing the zone since 2011, after his two terms as governor of the state.
The result would mark a significant shift in Gombe Central politics.
Speaking with journalists after the primaries, DCP Ahmed said the process was conducted without disruption, saying the atmosphere reflected the growing support for change in Gombe Central.
He said party members and residents were enthusiastic about the possibility of having a stronger representation for the zone at the National Assembly.
“You can see the excitement among the people. Many believe the time has come for Yamaltu-Deba to have a stronger voice at the national level,” he stated.
The APC’s candidate added that his ambition was not aimed at denying anyone the right to contest, “but was driven by the desire of the people for a new direction.”
When contacted, Goje’s aide declined comment, he said he would seek clearance from his principal before he could talk with journalists.