Barrister Umaru Ajaja Sulaiman though a new entrant into the world of partisan politics in Nasarawa state is however, not new in the art of governance, both in Nasarawa state and Nigeria as a whole. He has behind him a distinguished career as a seasoned public servant in the service of both Benue and Plateau states as well as the federal government. He performed creditably well during his 30 year stay in the Nigerian Custom Service without blemish earning himself a good reputation because of his incorruptible pedigree and ultimately winning the international award laurel of “West Africa nobles for Honesty, integrity and accountability”. Barr Umaru Ajaja Sulaiman who is seeking to replace Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura as chief steward of Nasarawa state in 2019 has a long list of experiences that equip him well enough for the task of governing Nasarawa state and taking it to the next level. Apart from his public service and para-military experience Barr. Umaru Ajaja Sulaiman also has public relations as well as good interpersonal experiences excellent skills for a chief steward of Nasarawa state. He is adjudged by some political pundits in Nasarawa state as one of the best governorship aspirants. Though he is not contesting under the platform of APC, the ruling party in the state, his pedigree as an excellent performer in all the places he had served during his public service career is his selling point. This is especially in view of the fact that this time around the electorates to all intents and purposes, would judge candidates more by their capacities and capabilities, not the political parties they belong to. Gone are the days when the electorates elected people based on their political parties without considering their capabilities and competence. Barr Umaru Ajaja Sulaiman an aspirant to occupy Government House, Lafia in 2019 under the platform of ADP, was born in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital. He attended Lafia NA Primary School from 1957 to 1964. He further attended St- Augustine Teachers College Lafia from 1965 to 1969. His quest for higher education took him to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU) where he obtained a Diploma in Law from 1973 to 1975. In 1980 he enrolled for his LLB degree course at the same University and graduated in 1983. Barr Umaru Ajaja Sulaiman graduated from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1984 and was called to the Bar the same year, 1984. His working career started as Headmaster, he later became a Court Registrar before moving to the Broadcasting Corporation of Northern Nigeria (BCNN) Kaduna in 1973. After serving BCNN for two years, in 1975 Barr Umaru Ajaja Sulaiman secured employment with the Nigerian Customs Service; he rose through the ranks to became Controller of Customs and retired from active service in 2012. Barr Umaru Ajaja Sulaiman’s sojourn at the Nigerian Customs Service saw him occupying different control commands. He was Controller in charge of Niger, Oyo, Borno, Edo and Cross River and Bauchi states at different times. In addition he served as Controller in charge of Valuations at Customs headquarters, Abuja as well as Controller in charge of Administration at Customs zonal offices in Niger, Bauchi and Lagos states. Barr Umaru Ajaja Sulaiman is cosmopolitan both in nature and by virtue of his stay in all the regions of the country. He is exposed and familiar with intrigues in Nigerian politics, besides being connected to the people that matter in Nigeria. Entrusting the business of governance of the state in the hands of Barr Umaru Ajaja Sulaiman will further uplift and position the state to a high economic and political pedestal ever recorded in the state. Though, the incumbent governor, Umaru Tanko Al-makura is doing his best in the state by way of provision of infrastructures, some political commentators believe that Barr Umaru Ajaja Sulaiman possesses awesome credentials and qualities in terms of experience and exposure to add values to what the present governor has done. Whether the people of Nasarawa state would line up behind Barr Umaru Ajaja Sulaiman in 2019 remains in the realm of time, but many are of the opinion that he remains the best in the circumstance.