In December 1984, he took over as First Secretary of the Party for Krujë District. He would follow a similar position in his native Dibër District during 1987-1990. In August 1990, he would reach the top of his political career. Gjoni took over as Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, at the same time First Secretary of the Party in Tirana. He held this positions until the 10th and last Congress of PPSh. During the collapse of communism, Gjoni became in July 1990 Politburo of the Party of Labour of Albania. He is remembered as arrogant, brutal, and a man of scandals. Apparently was chosen from Ramiz Alia in a very delicate moment as a "strong hand".