TheCable

Some All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in Gombe state have rejected the planned retirement of Danjuma Goje, senator representing Gombe central.

In December 2019, Goje announced that he will retire from active politics after the end of his third term as a senator in 2023.

Speaking at an event in Akko LGA of the state on Saturday, the APC chieftains said they will take legal action to compel him to contest if retires.

Abubakar Barambu, chairman of Akko LGA, said Goje and Mohammad Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe governor, must contest the 2023 polls.

“Our people in the grassroots have mandated me to announce their endorsement of Governor Yahaya to continue to pilot the affairs of the state,” Barambu said.

“They have also asked me to announce their endorsement of Senator Goje to continue to represent them in Gombe Central in 2023. If he is tired, we are not tired of his representation.

“If they refuse to heed to our calls, we will go to court to compel them to contest. We are with you, please contest in 2023.”

On his part, Joshua Lidani, another APC chieftain, said Goje’s interventions “cut across Gombe and the entire north-east geopolitical zone”.

Lidani said the former Gombe governor played a critical role in the establishment of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC).

Also speaking, Aishat Dukku, a house of representatives member, said they are not ready for the senator’s retirement from politics.

“We are here to compel him not to quit politics. I’m speaking on behalf of his teeming political family, not to implement his statement that he would quit politics. If he refuses to heed our pleas, we will plead with the governor to compel him to contest,” she said.