By Our Reporter

In what is being described as a pivotal moment for the political future of Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone, key political and opinion leaders convened in Keffi today under the chairmanship of  Dr. Abdullahi Adamu (Turakin Keffi), former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to discuss the way forward for the zone’s development and political trajectory.

The high-profile stakeholders’ meeting, which drew together local government chairmen, commissioners, and grassroots mobilizers, centered on issues of unity, governance, and sustainable development. However, beneath the calls for harmony and zonal progress, the gathering also served as a subtle but strategic platform where the rising political aspirations of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, the serving Senator representing Nasarawa West came into sharper focus.

Though not explicitly stated in the official agenda, discussions around the 2027 gubernatorial race for Nasarawa State were unmistakably present in backroom conversations and side discussions among political heavyweights and youth leaders alike. Senator Wadada, known for his grassroots appeal and business acumen, is increasingly being viewed as a strong contender to succeed Governor Abdullahi Sule.

Supporters of the senator see the meeting as a timely opportunity to consolidate the zone backing and project Wadada as a unifying figure capable of delivering good governance across ethnic and religious lines.

“He has shown what is possible in the Senate within a short time,” said one local leader who attended the meeting. “His ambition to govern Nasarawa State in 2027 is not just personal, it represents a collective yearning for transformational leadership from the Western Zone.”

Dr. Abdullahi Adamu, in his opening remarks, stressed the need for political actors in the zone to close ranks and work together for the common good. While he refrained from endorsing any particular individual, his emphasis on “purposeful leadership” and “strategic collaboration” was interpreted by many as an encouragement for credible aspirants like Wadada to step forward with a clear vision for the state.

“Leadership must be earned through service, not noise,” Dr. Adamu declared, in a veiled comment that seemed to distinguish between populism and performance, a standard Wadada’s supporters say he meets comfortably.

For decades, Nasarawa West has played a supporting role in the state’s political hierarchy. With stakeholders now speaking with renewed confidence and unity, the 2027 election cycle is shaping up to be a watershed moment. Several speakers at the meeting echoed the sentiment that the time has come for the zone to take a leading role in the state’s governance.

“We have the numbers, the leaders, and the unity. What we need now is a collective push,” said Hon. Ibrahim Bala, a political activits from Karu. “Senator Wadada represents that bridge between the old and new generation.”

While the meeting in Keffi was officially a forum for dialogue and development, it doubled as a soft launchpad for what is fast becoming an undeniable political movement around Senator Wadada. His measured silence at the event, combined with the enthusiasm of his supporters, speaks volumes about the strategic positioning underway.

As 2027 draws nearer, and the political temperature begins to rise, all eyes will remain on Nasarawa West not just for what it says, but for how it chooses to act.