By Rayyanu Bala

Social media in Nasarawa State is currently abuzz with the resurfacing of old political videos featuring Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu. In one of the clips, dating back to 2019, Wadada appeared to cast aspersions on Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for allegedly supporting Engr. Abdullahi Sule. Another video, recorded during the 2023 senatorial campaigns, shows him making critical remarks about Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

Those sharing these videos seem intent on using them to question Wadada’s credibility or portray him as inconsistent. However, such attempts expose a poor grasp of political reality. Politics is not a static battlefield of unchanging friendships and eternal grudges; it is an arena where interests, alliances, and priorities shift over time.

The truth is simple: in politics, there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

Political alliances are formed not out of emotion but out of shared objectives and mutual benefit. A political adversary today can easily become an ally tomorrow if both parties’ interests align. Conversely, a former ally can become an opponent when their goals diverge. This is not betrayal; it is the essence of political strategy and survival.

Senator Wadada’s political evolution, like that of many Nigerian politicians, must be viewed through this lens. The comments made in those videos reflected the political circumstances at that time, moments marked by competition and realignment. To lift those statements from their historical context and use them to judge today’s political realities is both unfair and intellectually lazy.

Those circulating these videos should also ask themselves what they hope to achieve. Does resurfacing an old clip improve governance or promote political maturity? Does it inform voters about current development efforts or policy direction? Certainly not. Instead, it distracts from the real issues that Nasarawa state citizens care about.

In every democracy, political relationships are transactional and adaptive. Even global leaders who once stood on opposite sides of ideological divides have been known to collaborate when circumstances demand it. Nigerian politics is no different. The capacity to build bridges and reconcile with former rivals is a mark of political maturity, not inconsistency.

Indeed, those who cling to the idea of permanent enmity or friendship in politics are often those who misunderstand its purpose. Politics is about service, negotiation, and consensus. It demands flexibility and the courage to adjust strategies in pursuit of the common good. The ability to mend fences and work across divides is what sustains governance in a complex and diverse society like Nasarawa state.

The renewed circulation of Wadada’s old videos, therefore, adds little or nothing to the current political conversation. The electorate today is far more discerning than in the past. Nasarawa state citizens are less interested in recycled political drama and more focused on who can deliver tangible results. Performance, not past sentiments, is what truly defines leadership.

As the late political sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo once noted, “Politics is dynamic, not dogmatic.” The same lesson applies here. What matters most is not who a politician criticized years ago, but what they are doing today to uplift their people.

In the final analysis, political relationships will continue to evolve, and those who fail to understand this basic truth will always misread the game. Senator Ahmed Wadada’s case only reminds us that adaptability remains one of the most valuable assets in politics.

Ultimately, Nasarawa state citizens should focus less on yesterday’s quarrels and more on today’s performance. After all, the true measure of leadership is not in old words spoken, but in the new actions taken for the people’s progress. And Senator Wadada as we all know, is for the people’s progress.