Goje Back out of Senate Presidency in Nigeria

Former governor of Gombe state and now senator-elect, Alhaji Danjuma Goje has announced his withdrawal from the Senate Presidency, saying the Senate new rules on ranking bars him from contesting for the senate top job.

Goje in a statement issued in Abuja also stated that his withdrawal was in respect of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP zoning of the senate presidency to the north central zone.

He said, “I want to state that even though I have not officially or publicly declared my intention to contest the senate presidency, my name has been featuring prominently among the leading contestants.

“I want to use this medium to express my sincere appreciation to all those who think I am suitable for the job. However, it would not be possible for me to contest because of the following reasons.

“My zone the North east has been officially excluded from the race by the PDP leadership. I, as a new senator has been officially excluded from the race by the out going senate through the recent amendment of the standing order on the ranking of senators.

“From the fore-going, as a party man as well as a perspective Senator who believes in the rule of law and teamwork, I have decided to publicly announce that I will not contest the Senate presidency on Monday, 6th June 2011 when the 7th National Assembly would be inaugurated.”

“I want to use this medium to express my sincere appreciation to all those who think I am suitable for the job. However, it would not be possible for me to contest.”