BY RAYYANU BALA

At the grand reception organized to honour Barr. Labaran Magaji, PhD, on his appointment as Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, held at the Aliyu Akwe Banquet Hall in Lafia on Friday, Governor Abdullahi Sule was remarkably candid and sincere in his remarks. He paid a glowing tribute to Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada for the pivotal role he played in his emergence during the 2019 elections.

Amidst thunderous applause from the audience, Governor Sule recalled how Senator Wadada contested against him in the APC gubernatorial primaries, securing the second-highest number of delegate votes—closely behind his own. Despite being a rival in the primaries, Senator Wadada set aside personal interests and worked tirelessly to ensure his victory in the general election.
The public admission by Governor Sule regarding the events of the 2019 APC governorship primary in Nasarawa State underscores the need for the people of Nasarawa to rally around Senator Wadada in 2027. By the Governor Sule’s own account, Senator Wadada has demonstrated that he is someone who can be trusted.

In an interview with newsmen in Keffi some time ago—which was widely circulated across mainstream, online, and social media—Senator Wadada also recounted how certain aspirants at the Lafia Square venue of the primaries attempted to use him to disrupt the process. However, he skillfully thwarted their plans by quickly moving to congratulate Engr. Sule even before the counting of ballots was completed.
This once again proves that Senator Wadada is not someone who can be easily manipulated into doing what is wrong, even when it goes against his personal interest. This is the kind of leader we need in Nasarawa State—not those who enter the race for selfish gains.
Today, many aspirants have joined the race for the 2027 governorship election in Nasarawa State solely for personal gain. They lack a genuine track record of service to the people and have nothing to offer beyond their personal accomplishments. Senator Wadada has a visible and tangible track record of service to the people. His eight years in the House of Representatives were impactful, with many of his constituents attesting to his achievements during that time. Furthermore, within just eighteen months in the Senate, Senator Wadada has positively touched the lives of thousands, both within and beyond his constituency.
Without sounding immodest, Senator Wadada is the right person to succeed Engr. Abdullahi Sule in 2027. I understand this may not sit well with some, but the question remains: if not Senator Wadada, then who? Who else has the heart and vision to continue steering the ship as effectively as Engr. Sule is doing today?

Like Engr. Sule, Senator Wadada brings valuable experience from the private sector into politics. He is a cosmopolitan leader who approaches issues with a positive mindset, free from sentiment and bias. As things stand today in Nasarawa State, if a popular, grassroots candidate with broad appeal across all parts of the state is not fielded, we may, God forbid, end up with someone who does not even deserve the office.
Senator Wadada stands out as the only candidate among the multitude contesting the 2027 governorship elections in Nasarawa State who truly possesses mass appeal, commanding admiration from both the young and the old due to his past achievements and ongoing contributions.
Thankfully, Governor Abdullahi Sule has repeatedly stated that he will not support any unsellable aspirant. He has emphasized that he will back a candidate who is well-grounded among the people, widely known, and highly connected—someone capable of attracting more investments into Nasarawa State.
It’s well known that Senator Wadada embodies all these qualities.