Governor Abdullahi Sule has publicly endorsed Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election, signaling an early consolidation of political forces within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State.
The declaration, contained in a statement by his media aide, was made during a strategic meeting with political appointees and heads of government agencies at the Government House in Lafia.
Sule described Wadada as a fitting embodiment of the administration’s “Muje Maha” philosophy—an agenda anchored on inclusiveness, consensus-building, and political stability.
According to the governor, the choice followed over a year of extensive consultations involving a broad coalition of stakeholders, including investors, traditional rulers, women groups, youth organisations, party leaders, and actors across the three senatorial zones.
“We have to look for people who have the capacity to win this election,” Sule said, underscoring electability as a decisive factor.
He revealed that the process was eventually narrowed to three viable contenders before Wadada emerged as the preferred choice after further consultations and internal alignments.
The governor also commended aspirants from the Nasarawa West Senatorial District for what he described as rare political maturity, noting that they had agreed to rally behind a consensus candidate.
He disclosed that stakeholders in the zone had proposed a power-balancing arrangement to ensure equitable distribution of elective positions between the two federal constituencies, an arrangement he endorsed.
Sule urged all political appointees and party faithful to set aside personal loyalties and align fully with the party’s direction.
“If we are sincere about the so-called Muje Maha, now it is the period that Muje Maha is Wadada,” he declared.
He further stressed that unity must extend beyond the governorship contest to include all elective positions, including the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assembly seats.
At the same time, the governor cautioned against political bitterness, urging supporters not to ridicule or alienate aspirants who were not selected, noting that all shortlisted contenders possessed the capacity to win.
On the national front, Sule expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure strong electoral support in Nasarawa State in 2027, citing growing acceptance of his administration.
However, despite the endorsement, party insiders suggest that the race remains open following the adoption of direct primaries by stakeholders, a position reaffirmed by political actors within the state.
Reacting to the development, a key stakeholder noted that while the governor’s endorsement carries significant weight, all qualified party members remain free to contest.
Political observers say Sule’s early move is aimed at preventing internal fragmentation and ensuring a smooth succession process, though it may also test the APC’s internal democratic credentials as the 2027 contest approaches.