By Our Reporter

When Governor Abdullahi Sule boarded a chartered flight out of Lafia on Thursday, it wasn’t just another official trip. His destination, Owerri, the Imo State capital, set the stage for the 2025 Imo Investment Summit, an event expected to draw political leaders, investors, and policymakers from across the country.

But what caught attention wasn’t only the summit itself. It was the composition of the governor’s entourage.

Traveling with Governor Sule was the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, Dr. Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria, adding weight and administrative depth to the delegation. Also onboard was his predecessor in that office, Barrister Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu, whose presence signaled institutional continuity and shared interest in the state’s economic direction.

Yet, the most intriguing faces on the trip were two familiar political figures, Senator Philip Aruwa Gyunka and Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Hamza. Both men, once stalwarts of the People’s Democratic Party, recently switched allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Their inclusion in the delegation has sparked quiet conversations in political circles, hinting at a growing consolidation within the APC in Nasarawa.

The summit in Owerri offers an avenue for states to share ideas on economic expansion, attract investors, and strengthen inter-state collaboration. For Nasarawa, Governor Sule has repeatedly emphasized industrial growth and partnerships as pillars of his administration’s agenda.

As the governor and his team touch down in Imo, observers say the trip serves a dual purpose: advancing Nasarawa’s investment ambitions and showcasing a visibly expanding political coalition around the governor.

Whether the summit delivers significant economic gains remains to be seen, but one thing is clear, the journey to Owerri has already highlighted both the economic aspirations and the political atmosphere of Nasarawa’s landscape.