2027: Governor Sule has done his part, let’s do our own
By Ali Abare
As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close and Governor Abdullahi Sule returns from his spiritual sojourn in Saudi Arabia, the political temperature in Nasarawa State is rising steadily. There is so much anticipation in the air.
As the 2027 general elections approaches, casting long shadows across every corner of the state, the big question remains — who succeeds Governor Sule? This is the question on the lips of traders at Lafia market, farmers in Akwanga, students in Keffi and party faithful across the thirteen local government areas.
But before that question can be properly answered, there is a story that must first be told. It is the story of how Nasarawa’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) conducted itself in the months leading to this moment — a story of process, of inclusion, and of a governor who chose to do things the right way even when he didn’t have to.
In line with the timetable released by the APC nationally for its 2025/2026 ward, local government, state and zonal congresses, Nasarawa State moved deliberately and carefully through each stage.
The national schedule, unveiled by APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, outlined activities in line with Articles 11 and 17 of the party’s constitution, aimed at electing party officials across all levels. Nasarawa State keyed into this framework with a seriousness of purpose that deserves to be acknowledged.
Before a single form was purchased or a single congress held, Governor Sule convened an expanded State Executive Council meeting in Lafia. What happened there set the tone for everything that followed.
At the meeting, the party’s legal adviser moved a motion, which Governor Sule supported, allowing non-executive members to take part in the discussions — a move that widened participation in the decision-making process.
That single act spoke volumes. In a political environment where information is often hoarded and decisions taken in dark corners, Governor Sule threw open the doors. Non-statutory members — people who had no official right to be at the table — were brought in and given a voice. It was not just unusual. It was unprecedented.
Following that broad consultative process, APC stakeholders in Nasarawa State resolved to adopt the consensus mode in the selection of party officials at the ward, local government and state levels. The decision was not imposed. It was moved as a formal motion, seconded, deliberated upon and adopted — the way party business is supposed to be done.
Every political interest, every camp, every senatorial district had a seat at the table and a say in the outcome. Governor Sule also went a step further. He personally met with critical stakeholders across the three senatorial districts of the state — Nasarawa North, Nasarawa South and Nasarawa West — to explain the decisions already taken and reassure party members that the process would be fair to all. Whether you are from Akwanga or Awe, from Keffi or Keana, from Lafia or Loko, you were part of the conversation.
Anyone who has followed Nasarawa politics for any length of time will understand why this matters so much. In the past, the weeks before ward and local government congresses were typically a season of manipulation and hijack. Powerful political actors would move quietly behind the scenes to install their preferred people as ward and council chairmen — not because those people were best for the job, but because they would be useful instruments during the governorship primary.
It was a familiar game. Control the ward executives, influence the delegates, and you control who becomes governor. It happened here. It happened in many other states across Nigeria.
Governor Sule refused to play that game. Even when some of his closest loyalists came to him expecting preferential treatment for their candidates, he said no. Every political camp was allowed to field its people. Every political interest was given a fair chance to participate. The playing field was as level as it could possibly be. This is not a small thing. This is the kind of political courage that deserves to be recognised for what it is.
The significance of what the governor has done has not been lost on the two men whose views carry the most weight in Nasarawa politics — former governors Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura. Both men have publicly demonstrated their alignment with Governor Sule, with Adamu — the immediate past national chairman of the APC — and Al-makura standing together in affirmation of his leadership.
Their public positioning matters enormously, because these are not ordinary men in Nasarawa politics. Adamu was the state’s first civilian governor, elected in 1999. Al-makura succeeded him after the interregnum of Aliyu Akwe Doma and governed for eight years before handing over to Governor Sule in 2019.
Senator Adamu has made the APC’s solidarity abundantly clear, telling Governor Sule at a recent stakeholders’ visit: “The visit is to underline our support for you, for your administration, and for the success of your administration. We want to say for the umpteenth time that we are all gathered here as your supporters.”
As for Al-makura, Governor Sule himself has been effusive in expressing gratitude for the former governor’s crucial role in his political journey. He publicly acknowledged that it was Al-makura who stood his ground for the northern zone to be given its turn to produce a governor in 2019, even when others were opposed to it. “I will never forget Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, who stood his ground that we must have that opportunity,” he said.
That these two political heavyweights — men who have not always agreed on every matter — are both publicly supportive of the process Governor Sule has led tells you everything you need to know about the credibility of what has happened in Nasarawa’s APC in recent months.
Earlier, Senator Adamu had admonished all citizens of Nasarawa State to support the policies, activities and initiatives of Governor Sule’s administration, while Al-makura charged the people to be loyal and faithful to the government.
Now, regarding the claim that Governor Sule is scheming to impose a successor on the APC and on the people of Nasarawa State. This is a claim that has been making the rounds in certain political circles and has gained some traction in media discussions. It deserves a direct and honest response.
The claim does not stand up to scrutiny. Not even slightly. A governor who imposes his will does not open party congresses to non-statutory members. A governor who wants to impose his preferred candidate does not allow all political camps to freely nominate their people for ward and council positions. A governor bent on manipulation does not travel personally to the three senatorial districts to consult with stakeholders. These are not the actions of a man working in the shadows.
Governor Sule himself has made his position clear, stating publicly that he will consult widely with the right party leaders when the time is right to indicate a preferred direction. He has also stressed that his support for any candidate would not automatically guarantee that person’s victory, as has been seen in other states across Nigeria.
What those peddling the imposition narrative are really saying is that a governor should not be allowed to have an opinion about who succeeds him. But that is not how leadership works anywhere in the world. Every outgoing leader, in politics or in business, has a responsibility to help shape a responsible transition.
The question is not whether Governor Sule will offer guidance — it is whether that guidance will be offered through proper and transparent channels. Based on everything we have seen so far, there is every reason to believe it will be.
Governor Sule has done his part. He opened the process. He brought everyone in. He protected the rights of political camps that are not even his own. He consulted, he listened, and he acted with restraint and fairness.
As he returns from his Ramadan retreat and the state prepares to shift gears towards the next phase of the 2027 journey, the people of Nasarawa State — and particularly members of the APC — must now fulfil their own side of the bargain.
They must extend to their governor the same trust and support that he has shown them. They must rally around the party’s leadership with the same openness and good faith that the leadership has demonstrated.
The congresses have been conducted. The structures are in place. The elders are aligned. The next chapter belongs to all of Nasarawa. But it will only be written well if everyone plays their part — with the same honesty, the same patience, and the same respect for process that Governor Sule has modelled from the very beginning.
The future of Nasarawa State is too important for anything less, not to mention the overriding selfish interests of some political actors.
