By Rayyanu Bala

Governor Abdullahi Sule, on Saturday, 17 January 2026, during the requiem Mass for the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki held at the Roman Catholic Church, Lafia, spoke eloquently about the life and legacy of the late senator, as well as the enduring values of good governance. His speech left many spellbound and deeply reflective about life, leadership, and the importance of striving to live upright and purposeful lives.

One thing I have always admired about Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, is his rare sense of fairness. In a political environment where division often feels inevitable, he chose a different path which hinges on inclusion, balance, and genuine concern for all. He governs without discrimination, carrying every citizen along regardless of tribe, religion, background, or political affiliation. That quality alone has gone a long way in stabilizing the state and nurturing unity, peace, and steady progress.
Governor Sule’s leadership has shown us something important: that governance does not have to be loud or divisive to be effective. Gov. Sule’s open-hearted approach reassured many who once felt excluded, and it helped build trust between government and the people. Nasarawa State today enjoys a level of cohesion that is not accidental, it is the result of deliberate, fair-minded leadership.
But leadership is also about continuity. The real test of progress is not just how far a leader goes, but whether the values he embodies are preserved and strengthened after he leaves office. This is where the conversation must honestly shift. Nasarawa State cannot afford a break from the inclusive, people-centered governance it has enjoyed. The state needs a successor who understands Gov. Sule’s philosophy and has both the experience and temperament to sustain it even beyond 2027.
This is why the urgent need for a worthy replacement becomes clear, and Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu stands out. His political journey, experience in public service, and ability to relate across divides position him as someone capable of carrying forward the legacy of fairness and unity as examplifies by Gov. Sule.
Leadership is not just about ambition; it is about readiness and alignment with the values that matter most to the people. Senator Wadada Aliyu represents continuity. someone who can build on existing progress while injecting fresh energy and ideas.
After Gov. Sule, Nasarawa State needs a leader who will keep the doors open to everyone, just as Governor Sule has done, while responding decisively to emerging challenges. The gains made so far by Gov. Sule must not be reversed.
In the end, this is not just about personalities; it is about preserving a culture of non-discriminatory leadership. Governor Abdullahi Sule has set a standard. The responsibility now lies with the people to support a successor who can uphold and advance that standard. In Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, many see that promise and the time to secure that future is now.