Stakeholders meeting: Goje’s APC associates desert him pitches with Gombe Gov
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Staunch followers of the former governor of Gombe State Danjuma Goje, now senator representing Gombe Central are now singing different songs.
Many of them who spoke in Deba, Yalmatu Deba Local Government Area during All Progressives Congress (APC), Gombe Central senatorial district, distanced themselves from the senator, while harping the governor, Muhammadu Yahaya as the leader of the party.
They claimed that the unity of the party is key and that it won’t be compromised by anybody no matter how highly placed the person is.
Recall that that in June 26, 2021, admirers of the former governor, including Akko LGA boss Abubakar Barambu, warned Goje that they would sue him to court, if he failed to seek re-election, sequel to Goje’s December 8, 2019, pronouncement that he would not contest in 2023.
Our correspondent gathered that this internal wrangling is centered around 2023, the former governor’s alleged truncated party chairmanship plan, romance with the the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his come back to retain his senatorial seat.
Speaking, Habu Muazu, former youth leader of PDP while Goje was governor, who is currently a chieftain of the APC decried why the former governor (Goje) would be fighting the current administration when he has enjoyed 100 percent loyalty from governor (Yahaya), adding that key loyalists of Goje including his family and friends have appointment positions.
He said, “Inuwa, knew that Goje did not vote him. I’m telling you this so that you won’t think that Inuwa was the one who rushed into fight with him, some people will lie to you that he was the one that helped him to become a governor and that, I’m telling you this for every sensible person should go and pass judgement.
“After all these, we wanted to appoint commissioners, we advised the governor not to appoint a commissioner that will represent Akko from Kashere because there is a Senator and a head of service in Kashere. We are supposed to appoint a commissioner from Pindiga, since they don’t have anyone representing them. Because of dignity, what first brought rift between Dankwambo and Goje, was after election, he gave him (Dankwambo) his daughter to be appointed as a commissioner and Dankwambo refused.”
Muazu added, “Inuwa wanted to give him respect by appointing his daughter as a commissioner so for God’s sake whoever does this for you, what will make you fight the person? In this government of Inuwa Yahaya, Goje’s daughter is a commissioner, his son in- law is a commissioner, and his friends and family were all given a position in this government, what exactly will make you fight with Inuwa?”
On his part, Member representing Akko Federal Constituency Usman Kumo, who has been having running battle with the senator his erstwhile political godfather said, “Inuwa has entrenched politics of maturity and tolerance. We mobilized for this meeting without the governor’s contribution. Humiliating the governor will never see the light of the day. He remains the leader of the party, follow the governor or find yourself another leader.”
Reading the Communique of Gombe Central senatorial district, Ahmed Abubakar member representing Yalmatu Deba Federal Constituency, the group passed a vote of confidence on the governor.
“We do hereby unanimously resolved to eschew bitterness and rancour and equally to continue to operate as one, united and stronger APC family under His Excellency, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya as our Political Leader in the State.
“The stakeholders unanimously resolved to and hereby pass a vote of confidence on Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, and declare our unflinching support, solidarity, unalloyed loyalty and unshakeable stand with his policies, laudable programmes and political direction.
“We commend the Governor’s political sagacity and magnanimity as well as his avowed commitment to the growth and consolidation of the gains of our great party in the state and country in general.”
