By Rayyanu Bala

Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu has steadily built a solid reputation as a results-driven, visionary leader with deep grassroots penetration and elite-level credibility. From his early days as a member of the House of Representatives to his current role as a Senator, Wadada has demonstrated legislative depth, administrative competence, and an impressive understanding of Nasarawa’s political terrain.

Senator Wadada’s legislative achievements are not just commendable but they are foundational to his wide public appeal. His active representation, sponsorship of people-oriented bills, and oversight roles have positioned him as a lawmaker who is not only effective but proactive. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts and former Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Markets, he has consistently exhibited financial intelligence and oversight discipline, qualities that are indeed, critical to executive leadership.

It is a truism that even beyond the chambers of legislation, Senator Wadada has built a strong legacy of philanthropy. His interventions in educational support through scholarships, investment in rural infrastructure, youth employment schemes, and support for women entrepreneurs reflect a leader who is in tune with the needs of his people.

His extensive grassroots engagement has earned him a rare level of trust and loyalty across Nasarawa’s diverse communities both urban, rural, ethnic, and religious. In fact, his brand of engagements transcends political party affiliation.

Contrary to what some are saying, his defection from the SDP to the APC, far from weakening his base, reinforced his relevance and adaptability, as he continues to enjoy wide acceptance across party lines.

What made Senator Wadada defferent from other aspirants is his combination of political maturity, temperament, and grassroots legitimacy. Analysts in Nasarawa and even beyond the state agree that he commands an “organic following” following that’s not artificially or manufactured through money or political manipulation, but earned over decades of consistent public service. He enjoys a broad spectrum of support that includes traditional institutions, youth groups, religious leaders, market associations, and civil society actors.

Additionally, Senator Wadada who is billed to collect his APC membership card in his ward in Keffi tomorrow Sunday 7th September, 2025, appears to be only one aspirant that has an elite consensus. A consensus of a silent but powerful factor in Nasarawa politics. His long-standing relationships with key stakeholders within and outside the state position him as a unifying figure capable of building bridges across competing interests.

Senator Wadada’s corporate experience, including his stints at UBA, Benue Cement Company, Chairman Peugeot automobile company Kaduna, Member of Board of Directors of Texaco oil company etc, and his ownership of the Keffi Polo Ranch (a hub for business and political networking) as well as his wide connection with captains of industries in Nigeria, positions him as an investor-friendly technocrat. In an era where economic transformation is key, his ability to engage the business community and attract investment are his major plus.

This aligns squarely with Governor Abdullahi Sule’s vision for Nasarawa’s future. Governor Sule, an industrialist himself, has clearly stated he prefers to hand over the leadership of the state to someone with a sound understanding of investment, economic development, and job creation. Among the current lineup of aspirants, Senator Wadada fits that profile perfectly.

Moreover, Governor Sule has insisted that his successor must emerge from the APC, but without an “anointed” candidate for now. This neutral stance, coupled with his investor-friendly condition, inadvertently boosts Senator Wadada’s chances. Wadada is arguably the only leading aspirant who fits both boxes: he is APC, and he is investment-savvy.

Another aspects of Senator Wadada’s prospect is his campaign machinery which is well-oiled and decentralized. With loyal grassroots coordinators, youth mobilizers, and community influencers in all 13 local government areas, as well as in all the 147 electoral wards in the state

Senator Wadada possesses a level of organizational discipline as well as a media professionals in his media team that many of his rivals lack. His strategic use of community engagement, digital outreach, and issue-based messaging will give him a distinct edge in both the APC primaries and the general elections.

He is also known for avoiding political vendettas or inflammatory rhetoric, he always, instead focusing on solutions and unity. This is an increasingly rare quality in contemporary Nigerian politics.

No politician is without flaws. Senator Wadada, too, has his fair share of detractors and political skeptics. However, his ability to manage opposition without bitterness and navigate complex alliances with grace and maturity has earned him enduring respect.

Senator Wadada has the qualities of trust, temperament, experience, competence and even more, to handle all the essentials of
Nasarawa state’s ethnic diversity, political sensitivety, and its economic strategy as put together by Engr. Abdullahi Sule.

Verily, Senator Wadada stands as a compelling and formidable contender in the 2027 Nasarawa State gubernatorial race. His profile cuts across legislative excellence, grassroots loyalty, economic sensibility, and political diplomacy. He embodies the kind of leadership Nasarawa needs for the next phase of its development.

In the final analysis, Senator Wadada’s blend of experience, pragmatism, and people-first politics, he is poised to occupy the Shendam Road Government House Lafia in 2027.