LAFIA: Fresh divisions have erupted within the Nasarawa State chapter of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) following the endorsement of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as the preferred successor to Governor Abdullahi Sule ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
What was expected to be a routine political alignment has instead triggered internal dissent, exposing cracks among key stakeholders in the ruling party.
Governor Sule had publicly declared Wadada, who represents Nasarawa West, as his anointed candidate, describing him as the embodiment of the administration’s “Muje Maha” philosophy of inclusiveness and governance.
However, the move has drawn strong criticism from influential party figures, particularly former governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who faulted both the timing and the process.
Al-Makura said he was neither consulted nor informed before the endorsement and the subsequent presentation of Wadada to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is an aberration. It is too hasty at a time when the party has not even released guidelines, he stated, while acknowledging the governor’s right to support any aspirant but insisting due process must be followed.
In response, Governor Sule defended his decision through his media aide, describing the move as “careful, deliberate leadership, not imposition,” and maintaining that informing the president was appropriate.
The controversy has also intensified competition among aspirants. Former Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Adamu, has rejected the endorsement, insisting he remains in the race and is confident of defeating Wadada.
Despite the pushback, the Majority Caucus of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Danladi Jatau, has backed the governor’s choice, urging other aspirants to support Wadada in the interest of party unity.
Beyond internal party tensions, questions are being raised about Wadada’s readiness for leadership. Political analyst Charles Agum criticised the senator’s recent media engagements, describing them as lacking depth and issue-based focus.
Adding to the controversy, former APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Douglas Otaru, warned that the endorsement could harm the party’s chances in 2027, arguing that it undermines the credibility of the primary process.
The dispute has also revived long-standing debates over zoning and power rotation in Nasarawa State. Since 1999, the governorship has rotated among the state’s three senatorial districts.
However, some stakeholders argue that Nasarawa South, which has produced leaders like Al-Makura and the late Aliyu Akwe Doma, has already held power for 12 years.
A coalition of religious and political stakeholders is now calling for broader inclusion, insisting that the Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency—yet to produce a governor—should be considered for equity.
The group warned that any perceived imposition of a candidate, particularly from the Keffi axis, could deepen divisions and weaken the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As tensions continue to build, the unfolding crisis highlights the challenges of succession politics within the ruling party and raises concerns about party cohesion in the lead-up to 2027.
