Saturday, 26, June, 2021 was a historic day for the people of Akko, Gombe Central Senatorial District, Gombe state and Nigeria at large.
It was a day where great and grateful sons and daughters of Gombe state have gathered at the Kumo township stadium to magnanimously celebrate and divulge the peerless legacies of their great, consummate, and accomplished son, Sen. Muhammadu Danjuma Goje (Sarkin Yakin Gombe).
Originally, it was an ordinary event planned by and for the people of the Goje’s constituency of Akko and Yamaltu Deba. However, the turnout of people from all nooks and crannies of the state and beyond has epitomized that the dogmatic trailblazer isn’t just a leader only to his constituents but to the entire people of Gombe state in general and this has gone afar from political cycle where he largely operate and make history.
Of course, it was faire force de voiles and a crowd pleasing event. Because, to say that organizers of such memorable event have done a thoughtful effort, is tantamount to sarcasm. In fact, Goje has done well and his legacies are worthy of not only celebrating but chronicling for posterity.
In all facets of human evolution, it’s not mystifying or strange to find persons who have distinguished themselves as being successful people in the society and invariably setting good precedence for others to follow – Sen. Goje is one of them and he’s a hallmark of political deliverance of Gombe state cum purposeful leadership.
In fact, to call Goje with the traditional title of the “Sarkin Yakin Gombe” meaning “Hero of Gombe” has more to it than the ordinary meet the eye. He’s a hero, rare gem, political emancipator and a lover of his people whom he has gallantly sacrificed a lot for their betterment.
Sen. Goje, if not for his short sojourn at the National Institute for Medical Research in Lagos and some successful businesses and investments, has been a wholesome bred and record breaking politician that the North-east geo-political zone of the country has ever produced.
By basically highlighting his intimidating and matchless political credentials, readers would agree with me that Goje is citadel of politics himself – a graduate of political science, he was elected as member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly between 1979 to 1983, he contested and won the seat of Senator Representing Gombe Senatorial District under the platform of the United Nigerian Congress Party (UNCP) in the aborted democratic transition of General Sani Abacha in 1998.
Also, in 1999, he again contested for the Gombe Central Senatorial seat and later appointed Minister of Power and Steel during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo. He resigned and pursued his ambition to serve the people of Gombe state and in 2003, he tactically wrested power from an incumbent administration of late Abubakar Habu Hashidu of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) to covert Gombe state to a Peoples Democratic Party state.
Goje had served and transformed Gombe state to an enviable status and her people within his two terms as the Governor of the State where he successfully installed another PDP administration under the leadership of Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo. Endeared much by his people, he’s now meticulously having his third shot at the Senate, Representing the Central Zone of Gombe state.
It’s an indisputable fact that Gombe state today stands tall among all the North-eastern states in terms of the numerous visible and catalogue of development. These feats was achieved by Senator Goje’s administration, whose indelible legacies are the hallmarks of what is today called the modern Gombe state that’s enviable by her contemporaries.
Indeed, during his era as Governor, even the state indigenes have lost count of the number of modern roads constructed both in the state capital and the rural areas throughout his sterling and impactful stewardship – the same thing was applicable to the number of schools and other of his numerous laudable projects.
Goje’s major signature projects are; the state-of-the-art Gombe State University which has apart from impacting on the socio-economic indices of the state, produced several of graduates in multifarious field of studies at degree, doctorate and even professorial levels; the Gombe International Airport has brought into the state, several economic and social advantages; Gombe township stadium is the best in the whole zone; Federal University Kashere and Collage of Horticulture Dadin Kowa influenced by him have not only boost the state’s knowledge base, but becomes source of employment to many of our sons and daughters; the Dadin Kowa Water Project; Gombe International Hotel and Gombe Jewel Hotel Abuja, Gombe Central Mosque and Gombe CAN Centre. Obviously, these are some of his numerous projects without which the state will be relegated from her present glowing and fulsome status.
The truth is that, this article will not capture all the laudable projects and achievements of Sen. Goje.
Equally, talking about his human capital development, including the present generation of politicians in the state, the state never had it glaringly so good than during Goje’s era. He groomed and tutored countless number of seasoned political actors who are now holding various positions across all the political parties in the state and national levels. Those in contacts and various businesses, built their enclaves and financial status during the Goje’s administration.
In fact, in a practical sense of judgement, the present set of leadership in the state is largely a product of Senator Goje. The governor himself, members of the state executive council, the state assembly members, and party officials are mainly his products.
Beaming into the National Assembly will reveal that most of the members presently representing the state at both the green and red chambers have mostly grown up under Goje’s political tutelage. Thus, his efforts in grooming people are immeasurable to the truth. – and those who were able to secure various appointments through his office are beyond ordinary capturing.
Incredible Goje, a political guru of all times was the pivotal and rallying point of the All Progressive Congress’s triumphant outing in the 2019 general election. As the APC’s leader in the state, Goje was able to unite all the members of the party, especially those who lost at the primary elections at all levels, to come together and work for the party’s interest.
Also, Goje makes sure that he convinced many of his boys from the PDP to decamp to the APC before the election and that had helped the party a lot.
To say the least, nobody would be able to pull that strength and wrest power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state if not Goje. He was instrumental to the APC’s success to see to the conversion of the state from fully PDP to fully APC.
It was, therefore, not surprising that his people have outrightly rejected his proposed retirement from elective politics. They believed that Goje’s retirement will create a void that no one can fill as far as focused representation is concerned.
Goje was able to attract constituency projects that have direct bearing to the life and progress of his people of Gombe Central to an extent that other zones are praying to have a representative like him. This is where political experience counts.
In truth, Goje is an insignia of a phenomenal politician, who apart from changing things for the betterment of his people, has created a cloud around his name; even his political antagonists cannot deny him that rare attributes.
So, don’t be left in surprise why he’s always been celebrated not only by the people of Gombe state, but by the entire nation. His frugality and prudence in the management of public resources was what defied the orchestrated and calculated effort to stain his image in the eyes of the public.
Yusuf writes from Yamaltu Deba, Gombe state.
