By Rayyanu Bala

The news that APC gubernatorial aspirants from Nasarawa West have formed a forum and even held an inaugural meeting is not only heartwarming but also exactly what should be done. It is important for them to come together in the overall interest of the zone.

Although I am not from the zone, my wholehearted support for the zoning arrangement is driven by the need for overall political stability and unity, as well as the togetherness of Nasarawa State as a whole.

Let’s talk honestly, as brothers and sisters who want the best for Nasarawa State and for the APC.

Everyone can see that the governorship contest ahead is not going to be business as usual.

The rotational arrangement of the governorship in Nasarawa State was conceived to promote political stability and unity among the three zones. As we are all aware, the idea did not arise out of charity; it was born from past experiences when we were part of Plateau State. To avoid the domination of one section over the others, the principle of rotation was introduced in Nasarawa State, and it worked effectively for some time. However, today, this rotational arrangement is under serious threat.

The political muscle being assembled to stop the zoning arrangement is real, coordinated, and ruthless. A structure has been carefully gathered to truncate the rotation of 2027 governorship to Nasarawa West.

This is why the ongoing political tension and power struggle in Lafia should serve as a loud warning bell. What we are witnessing in Lafia is not merely local politics. Although the tension has subsided due to intervention of some emanent persons, but the tension was a rehearsal of what could unfold across the state. If such pressure can be deployed so openly now, one can only imagine what will happen during the primaries and the main election, especially if Nasarawa West enters the contest divided.

This is where Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada comes in.

Like it or not, politics is not only about good intentions or sound arguments. It is about capacity, structure, reach, and resilience. Wadada has been in the system long enough to understand how power works in Nasarawa politics. He has relationships across zones, not just in the West. He has survived political storms, stood his ground against heavyweights before, and still remained relevant. That kind of political stamina is not common.

The truth many people avoid saying is this: matching the entrenched power working against zoning requires more than popularity or moral arguments. It requires someone who can go toe-to-toe with this entrenched interests without blinking. Among all the names being mentioned from Nasarawa West under the APC, Wadada stands out as the one with the political weight, experience, and network to withstand that pressure.

This is not about personal ambition or who deserves it more. It is about strategy. A divided Nasarawa West is exactly what opponents of rotation are praying for. Multiple aspirants may sound democratic, but in a high-stakes internal contest, it often leads to one outcome: defeat for everyone.

If APC stakeholders, leaders, and supporters in Nasarawa West truly want the governorship to come to them, then hard conversations must be had now, not after primaries are lost. The events unfolding in Lafia are an eye-opener. Power does not retreat because we appeal to fairness; it retreats when confronted by equal or greater force.

In my view, rallying around one strong, battle-ready candidate like Senator Wadada may be the only realistic way to protect the rotation and finally bring the governorship to the western zone. History will not be kind if this opportunity is lost due to internal ego and fragmentation.

This is not a call becluded with sentiments, it is a call for wisdom. Sometimes, winning for everyone means allowing one capable hand to lead the charge. So let’s allow Wadada to lead this charge.