GOVERNOR Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has attributed the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s defeat in the Osun State governorship election partly to the interference and actions of what he described as “Abuja politicians.”
News Point Nigeria reports that Sule made the disclosure while presenting Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acknowledgement slips to APC gubernatorial and State House of Assembly candidates in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Tuesday. News Point Nigeria reports that the governor said the Osun outcome also demonstrated the formidable influence of an incumbent governor in an election.
According to Sule, but for the interference of some politicians based in Abuja, the APC would not have lost the Osun governorship election.
“APC lost partly because of the Abuja politicians, you know, because if not for some of these Abuja politicians, there was no way for APC to lose in Osun,” he said.
The governor, however, said the outcome of the election underscored the influence and power of a sitting governor, noting that it was a lesson that should not be ignored by political actors.
“What it means is that the power of a sitting governor is not something you can joke around with. That’s the message that was sent, actually, in Osun,” Sule stated.
He said those celebrating the APC’s defeat in Osun might not fully understand the significance of the outcome.
“So, for people who are celebrating, they don’t even understand what the hell they are celebrating. What they are celebrating is that the power of a sitting governor in Osun is what has stopped them from winning,” he said.
Sule subsequently drew a parallel between Osun and Nasarawa State, warning that the state also has “one hell of a sitting governor.”
While declining to take credit in advance for the APC’s plans, Sule said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had performed well.
“I’m not going to brag about anything that we are going to do, but what I can tell you is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done well,” he said.
The presentation of the INEC acknowledgement slips was organised for APC candidates ahead of the next round of state elections in Nasarawa.
Sule urged the party’s candidates to shun sycophancy, blackmail and anti-party activities as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
He commended the APC State Chairman and the State Working Committee for involving him in the ceremony, which, he said, also gave him an opportunity to meet some of the candidates for the first time.
“It is time, because politics actually involve, you know, a lot of sycophancy, blackmail, you know, underhand, and things like that. I’m begging you in the name of God, don’t get involved in that,” the governor said.
The governor also cautioned APC candidates against what he described as the “drama” of campaigning for the party while secretly supporting candidates of other political parties.
“When you are campaigning, campaign for APC. Don’t go with the drama that maybe I can actually campaign for myself and campaign for another candidate of another party, if you do that, you know, people will see. And the people that see, they are also going to make sure that they react to you in that manner,” he said.
Sule said he did not believe in anti-party activities or political realignment and urged the candidates to remain committed to the party.
“I don’t believe in this anti-party, I don’t believe in this realignment, I don’t believe in that. And I’m begging you also not to believe in the same,” he added, urging them to “go out there and vote for the party that you believe in.”
The governor explained that the INEC acknowledgement slips serve as confirmation of the candidates’ recognition by the electoral body and also allow them to verify the spelling of their names.
He advised the candidates to promptly correct any errors to ensure their names were accurately reflected on the ballot papers.
In his remarks, Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mohammed Oyanki, said representatives from all 24 state constituencies were present at the event.
“Your Excellency, these are times that we need each other the most. Your Excellency, we will do our best. Insha’Allah, Rabbil Alamin, we’ll do our best to make sure we see Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, distinguished Senator, succeeds you,” Oyanki said.
He added that members representing the Nasarawa Northern Zone had “a special assignment” to ensure Governor Sule is returned as Senator, Insha’Allah.