By Rayyanu Bala

The article titled: Why Ahmed Wadada Aliyu Is Not Nasarawa West’s Inevitable Choice for 2027 was written in response to my piece entitled: Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu: The Governor Nasarawa West Has Been Waiting For,

There response reads less like an objective critique and more like a politically motivated attack dressed up as advocacy. Hiding behind the pseudonym “Advocate for Inclusive Leadership,” the writer’s attempt to diminish Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu’s stature collapses under the weight of selective memory, half-truths, and contradictions.

Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu’s political journey is not one of opportunism but of courage, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to the empowerment of people of Nasarawa state, even when that meant standing firm against entrenched political elites.

However, the claim that Wadada’s 2022 exit from the APC was a “calculated leap for personal glory” deliberately ignores the context. The party’s primary process that year was widely criticized for irregularities and imposition. A flaws that drove some aspirants to seek legal redress.

Wadada’s departure was therefore not rebellion but a principled stand against injustice. His decision to join the SDP reflected his belief in internal democracy and integrity. The people of Nasarawa West recognized this and rewarded his courage with a landslide victory in 2023, an outcome that no amount of political manipulations by this pseudonymous writer can erase.

Of course, Senator Wadada secured over 96,000 votes, but to dismiss or describe those votes as merely a result of political division is an insult to the intelligence of the Nasarawa West electorate. Those votes represented a united call for change and genuine representation.

For the benefit of clarification, Senator Wadada did not exploit division; he bridged it. He built a coalition that gave both urban elites and rural dwellers a renewed sense of belonging, something rarely achieved in the zone’s political history.

Yes, while we all have rights to hold and express our opinions but to mocked Wadada’s 2025 return to the APC as a “desperate volte-face.” shows level of political immaturity.

The leader of the APC in Nasarawa, Governor Abdullahi Sule, praised Senator Wadada for returning to the party, describing his comeback as a blessing to the APC. So anyone holding a contrary opinion is entitled to his view, but what truly matters is that Wadada’s return reflects political maturity and a spirit of reconciliation. His decision was not driven by personal ambition, but by a commitment to unity and progress for Nasarawa State.

Again rather than deepening old wounds, Senator Wadada chose to heal them by reaffirming his commitment to building a cohesive political front capable of driving sustainable development.

On so-called transactional Politics, it is disingenuous to dismiss Wadada’s long-standing philanthropy, his donations of vehicles, scholarships, and empowerment schemes as “transactional politics.” For over two decades, his generosity has been consistent and transparent, predating his Senate victory or any governorship aspirations.

His interventions have put food on tables, restored livelihoods, and sent children to school. If this is “transactional,” then perhaps Nasarawa needs more of such “transactions” that uplift communities rather than empty political promises.

Senator Wadada’s stance on Keffi-Nasarawa- Toto – Abaji road project was a principled demand for transparency, not political grandstanding. His insistence on proper verification before supporting federal intervention reflected a commitment to accountability.

When the facts became clear, his subsequent appeal to the presidency was an act of responsibility rather than inconsistency, a refreshing contrast to the silence of many politicians when public funds disappear without a trace. In truth, his intervention has proved effective.

Indeed, the article’s reference to unnamed “quiet reformers” rings hollow. Leadership is not about invisibility; it is about results. Wadada’s visibility is a product of tangible impact, from youth empowerment initiatives to legislative advocacy all well-documented and measurable.

Zoning, as a principle, should promote excellence, not complacency. If Nasarawa West must produce the next governor, why not a leader who has demonstrated courage, vision, and results?

The pseudonymous writer speak of Wadada’s “ego” and “spectacle,” but his resentment betrays fear, fear of a leader who is accountable to the people. While the sponsor of this pseudonymous writer thrive on anonymity; Senator Wadada thrives on transparency and results.

In conclusion, history will not remember the loudest critics. It will only remember those who acted with conviction. In that history, Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu stands tall not as a political chameleon, but as a symbol of transformative leadership whose resilience continues to inspire a new generation across Nasarawa and beyond.