By Rayyanu Bala

The rallying cry of “Wadada Gwamna!” that echoed yesterday, October 20, 2025, at the APC State Secretariat and Nasarawa State Government House was more than just a chant, it was a bold political declaration. Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, has thrown down the gauntlet with a clear message: he is back in the APC and ready to lead the party to victory in the 2027 governorship race.

What unfolded at the APC Secretariat in Lafia and at government house, was far from a routine political gathering. It marked the strategic consolidation of Wadada’s return and his assertive push toward the 2027 governorship elections. His speech, delivered with conviction, has effectively mobilized the grassroots machinery vital for any serious contender in Nasarawa State. His call to action “Continue to tell them, ‘Wadada Gwamna!’. has already begun to resonate beyond the walls of the APC office, echoing throughout the state. Indeed, the chorus now seems to be heard everywhere.

Wadada’s return to the APC after leaving the Social Democratic Party is more than a simple party switch. It is a calculated move amid shifting political alignments ahead of the next general elections. His re-entry as a confident, influential stakeholder not as a political prodigal, underscores the depth of his political capital and long-standing influence in the state.

His pointed response to critics questioning his loyalty to APC was particularly telling: “Nobody has a moral right to say I didn’t belong to APC or has more stake in APC than me.” This was not merely a rebuttal but a firm reminder that political relevance is earned over time, not granted or inherited. Wadada’s confidence signals that he possesses both the history and structure needed to command respect and support.

The warm reception from APC state chairman Dr. Aliyu Bello and the enthusiastic crowd reflects a political climate that is not only welcoming Wadada back but possibly positioning him as the party’s leading candidate for governor. Senator Wadada’s emphasis on unity and selfless leadership struck a resonant chord, living no one in doubt as regards to the direction the elites and the electorates in Nasarawa state are heading count down to 2027.

Perhaps most significantly, Wadada’s message extended beyond politics to governance. His calls for enhanced infrastructure, improved security, and economic empowerment are not mere campaign promises but pressing issues in Nasarawa State.

Senator Wadada’s focus on continuity and progress positions him as both a reformer and a stabilizer, a leader ready to build on existing foundations while driving development.

His public commendation of Governor Abdullahi Sule and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a masterstroke of political tact, signaling loyalty to the party’s leadership and aligning his ambitions with the current political order rather than opposing it.

Senator Wadada declared unequivocally: “I am here today, having been presented to you by the party, to say I have never been a loner. My network is wide, covering all sectors of our livelihoods. Wadada has the pastors, the imams, the royal fathers, the women, the youths. I am here to tell you, I have returned home.”

Undoubtedly, Senator Wadada has both the capacity and temperament to transform the current enthusiasm into electoral victory and to translate his governance vision into meaningful development across Nasarawa’s diverse communities.

From Monday’s events, both at the APC Secretariat and Shendam Road Government House, it is clear that Wadada’s return has reshaped the political conversation in Nasarawa State. With his eyes firmly set on the governorship, his presence in the APC is strategic.

As 2027 approaches, the slogan “Wadada Gwamna!” may well evolve from a rallying cry into political reality.

For now, Senator Wadada has set the pace. The onus is on other contenders to either catch up or move aside.