GOVERNOR Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has named Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship race, describing him as a true embodiment of the “Muje Maha” spirit that has characterised his administration’s philosophy of governance and political inclusiveness.
The disclosure was made in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Thursday by the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Ali Abare, who said the announcement came during a meeting with political appointees and heads of government agencies at the Government House in Lafia.
According to the statement, Governor Sule used the occasion to explain the process that culminated in the emergence of the Nasarawa West senator as the most suitable candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the state’s top job.
The governor revealed that the search for a successor, which spanned over a year, involved extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including foreign and prospective investors, youth groups, women organisations, traditional rulers, party officials, and key actors across the three senatorial zones of the state, as well as select members of his cabinet.
“We have to look for people who have the capacity to be able to win this election,” Sule told the gathering, emphasising the importance of electoral viability in the selection process.
He explained that after the exhaustive consultations, the list of potential candidates was narrowed down to three aspirants considered capable of winning the election. Further engagements were then held before a final decision was taken in favour of Senator Wadada.
Governor Sule commended the political maturity displayed by aspirants from the Nasarawa West Senatorial District, noting that they had held internal consultations and collectively agreed to support whoever emerged as the preferred candidate.
He further disclosed that the aspirants had demanded equitable distribution of elective positions within the zone, particularly between the two federal constituencies. With the governorship ticket expected to go to one constituency, they proposed that the senatorial and other legislative positions be allocated to reflect the interests of the other.
Sule said he had no objections to the arrangement and pledged his full support, urging political appointees to ensure its smooth implementation.
Addressing his appointees, the governor acknowledged that some individuals had previously supported different aspirants but stressed that the “Muje Maha” principle required that all personal preferences be set aside in favour of collective backing for Wadada and other party candidates.
“Now all the support — now all of us, if we are sincere about the so-called Muje Maha, now it is the period that Muje Maha is Wadada,” he said.
He emphasised that the spirit of unity must also extend beyond the governorship race to include candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, and the State House of Assembly, insisting that all elective positions should be pursued with equal commitment.
The governor cautioned against ridiculing or undermining aspirants who were not selected, stressing that the decision was the outcome of a careful and multi-dimensional evaluation process. He noted that any of the three shortlisted aspirants had the capacity to win and urged their supporters to rally behind the party’s choice without resentment.
On the 2027 presidential election, Sule expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure a strong showing in Nasarawa State, adding that even individuals who were not initially favourably disposed towards his administration had indicated a willingness to support him at the polls.
Reacting to the endorsement, Chairman of the IGP Adamu Campaign Committee on Counter and Mobilization, Isa Nathaniel, said the development did not come as a surprise.
Nathaniel explained that prior to Thursday’s meeting, the governor had convened a crucial party discussion where two major issues—consensus candidacy and direct primaries—were deliberated upon. He noted that, ultimately, key stakeholders in Nasarawa State adopted the option of direct primaries.
He added, “It was agreed that whoever has anything to offer to the people of Nasarawa State, is a registered member of the party, and is free to contest elections. So it’s open.”