Fresh divisions have surfaced within the Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the public declaration of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as the preferred successor to Governor Abdullahi Sule ahead of the 2027 governorship election. What initially appeared to be a routine political alignment has instead ignited visible disagreement and quiet rivalry among influential figures within the ruling party, as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 general elections. It will be recalled that Governor Sule, during a public event last Thursday, openly identified Wadada—who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District—as his favored candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial contest. The governor described the senator as a true reflection of the “Muje Maha” philosophy, a principle that has shaped his administration’s governance style, emphasizing inclusiveness and unity. Speaking at the endorsement event, Sule stated that leadership selection must prioritize candidates with strong electoral viability. He stressed that if party members genuinely believe in the “Muje Maha” principle, then the current moment signals that Wadada embodies that vision. Despite this justification, the announcement has not been widely accepted among key party stakeholders. Several senior members have expressed concern that the endorsement was made prematurely, without sufficient consultation or adherence to established party procedures. Among the most vocal critics is former governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, a significant political figure within the state. He questioned both the timing and the manner in which the endorsement was executed. Al-Makura revealed that he was neither informed nor involved before Wadada was presented at the Presidential Villa to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He described the move as irregular and rushed, especially at a time when the party has yet to release official guidelines for the primary process. While acknowledging the governor’s constitutional right to support any aspirant, he emphasized the importance of due process, inclusivity, and stakeholder engagement in maintaining party stability. In response, Governor Sule dismissed allegations of impropriety, insisting that his actions were consistent with longstanding political traditions in the state. Through his media aide, he characterized the endorsement as a product of deliberate and strategic leadership rather than an attempt to impose a candidate. The governor also defended his decision to present Wadada to President Tinubu, noting that keeping the party’s national leadership informed is both appropriate and necessary. Meanwhile, former Inspector General of Police Abubakar Adamu, who is also a governorship aspirant under the APC platform, has distanced himself from the endorsement. He clarified that the declaration does not equate to an electoral victory and affirmed his intention to contest the election. Adamu and other aspirants remain active in the race, even as Governor Sule continues to advocate for zoning the governorship position to Nasarawa West in the interest of fairness and balance. Amid the growing controversy, the Majority Caucus of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Danladi Jatau, has declared support for Wadada. The lawmakers pledged loyalty to both the party and the governor’s decision, urging other aspirants to unite behind the endorsed candidate for the sake of cohesion. Beyond procedural concerns, questions have also been raised regarding Wadada’s preparedness for leadership. Political analyst Charles Agum criticized the senator’s recent media engagements, suggesting that they lacked depth and were overly focused on criticizing rivals rather than presenting policy-driven solutions. Reports indicate that some aspirants feel marginalized by the early endorsement, while others are considering stronger opposition during the party’s primary elections. Douglas Otaru, a former APC Publicity Secretary in the state, warned that the governor’s approach could negatively impact the party’s prospects. He argued that prolonged lack of internal coordination allowed opportunistic elements to exploit the situation, potentially misleading the governor. Otaru further suggested that endorsing a close associate may compromise the governor’s neutrality in overseeing a transparent primary process. He advised that stepping aside could help ensure credibility and fairness. In addition to procedural disputes, the situation has revived longstanding debates about zoning and power rotation in Nasarawa State. Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the governorship position has rotated among the three senatorial districts. Stakeholders note that Nasarawa South has held power for a longer duration, producing leaders such as Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and the late Aliyu Akwe Doma, whose combined tenure spans twelve years. Some political actors argue that Nasarawa South should be allowed to complete what they describe as an unfinished tenure cycle. However, this perspective is being challenged by a coalition of religious, political, and indigenous groups. The coalition insists that fairness should extend beyond senatorial zoning to include federal constituencies that have yet to produce a governor. They oppose the emergence of a candidate from the Keffi axis, citing previous leadership from that bloc. In a joint statement led by Alhaji Ali Baba Nasarawa and Mallam Abdulrahman Sani Toto, the group highlighted that the Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency remains the only area yet to produce a governor since the state’s creation. They argued that returning the governorship ticket to a previously represented constituency would undermine principles of fairness and inclusion. The coalition also accused Governor Sule of deviating from the zoning framework he previously supported, warning that such actions could deepen divisions and weaken party unity ahead of the 2027 elections. They concluded by calling for a transparent, inclusive, and consultative process, emphasizing that any perception of imposed candidacy could have significant political consequences.
