By Rayyanu Bala

During a courtesy visit by prominent sons and daughters of Toto Local Government to Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Government House last week, the Governor once again took time to re-emphasize his stance on zoning the governorship slot to Nasarawa West. By this emphasis, Governor Abdullahi Sule has therefore put the matter of zoning to rest in Nasarawa state at least in the APC being a leader in the state.
Zoning contrary to what some people are saying is not exclusion; zoning is justice. It is not designed to kill anyone’s ambition or sideline anyone. It is the glue that has kept the Nasarawa political family together.
If we are honest and follow the Governor’s reasoning to its logical end, then the road to 2027 really isn’t complicated any longer.
The next governorship slot should go to Nasarawa West.
And if we are serious about competence and stability, Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu stands out clearly as the candidate.

The tempting questions here are: why Nasarawa West, and why Senator Wadada?
Governor Sule reminded the state of a truth many seem to forget conveniently. Nasarawa North, with just three local government areas, produced a governor not because of numerical strength, but because someone believed in fairness. Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura took a principled stand and insisted that every zone must feel included. That single decision did more than produce a governor; it preserved balance and peace in the state.
Now, let’s flip the mirror.
If zoning worked then, why should it suddenly be discarded now that it is Nasarawa West’s turn? Why should a principle celebrated yesterday become controversial today? That wouldn’t just be unfair; it would be dangerous. Because once people begin to feel the system no longer protects them, hope disappears, and when hope disappears, peace becomes fragile.
Nasarawa West has waited patiently. It has contributed immensely. It has remained loyal to the Nasarawa project through thick and thin. Asking the zone to wait again is essentially telling its people that patience is no longer golden. No responsible leadership sends that kind of message. Kodus must therefore go to Governor Abdullahi Sule for insisting on this principle of zoning. Zoning is about peace, not about any sentiment. Just as
Governor Sule said it clearly: rotation gives people peace, hope, and a sense of belonging. You cannot preach unity today and undermine it tomorrow. You cannot celebrate zoning when it favours one zone and suddenly demonize it when it favours another. Consistency is the true test of leadership and Governor Sule has demonstrated to the world, he’s a leader.
If peace, equity, and stability truly matter to us, then Nasarawa West must produce the next governor.
But zoning alone is not enough. Names matter. Capacity matters. Competence matters.
This is where Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu comes in.
Wadada is a tested and experienced leader who understands the realities of governance and the delicate balance of Nasarawa politics. He has seen governance from the legislative angle at the highest level. He has statewide reach, not just local appeal. He speaks the language of inclusion that Governor Sule continues to emphasize, and he has the temperament to become a consensus candidate.
Most importantly, Ahmed Wadada Aliyu represents continuity. He is well positioned to build on the peace, unity, and development, a framework already laid down by Governor Sule.
Indeed, as Governor Sule rightly said, everyone has the right to aspire. Nobody is denying that.
But 2027 has a moral direction, and that direction points to Nasarawa West.
One day, as Governor Sule observed, another governor should be able to stand and say, “If not for someone who believed in zoning, I wouldn’t be here.” That governor should come from Nasarawa West. And that governor should be Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu.
And this is because
fairness, peace, and simple logic demands that.
Conclusively, if we are honest with ourselves, none of the aspirants from Nasarawa West can withstand Wadada on any front. On a level playing field also, no one can come close to him.