By Rayyanu Bala

In politics, as in life, the truth is that ‘fortune always favours the bold. Not the timid. Not the fence-sitters. Not those who wait for perfect conditions before taking a step.

History consistently rewards the people who dare it, rewards the ones who speak when others whisper, who act when others hesitate.
And if there’s one word that has followed Wadada from childhood to this very moment, it is his boldness.

Anyone who has known Wadada long enough will tell you Wadada’s boldness didn’t start today. As a young boy, he was never the type to shrink himself to make others comfortable. If something was wrong, he said it. If something was unfair, he challenged it. Age, status, or hierarchy didn’t intimidate him. To some, that trait was admirable. To others, it was uncomfortable.

In fact, that very honesty is why some people have labeled him “disrespectful.”
But let’s pause and ask an honest question: is telling the truth disrespectful? Or have we simply grown too accustomed to silence and non- challant in the face of problems?

Wadada has built a reputation around saying things as they are, regardless of who is involved. He does not adjust his truth depending on the audience. Whether he is speaking to the powerful or the powerless, his tone remains firm, his position remains clear.
Of course, this kind of consistency can rattle some people, especially in our political environments, where lies replace sincerity.

Now, as 2027 approaches and Wadada sets his sights on becoming the governor of Nasarawa State, that same boldness is once again at the center of conversation.
In Wadada, some see ambition while others see courage. Ultimately, running for governor is no small declaration—it is a bold step that demands bravery. Since 2019, Wadada has demonstrated that courage and continues to embody it.

His boldness in sustaining the courage by saying “I believe I can lead. I believe I can do better. I believe I can make a difference.” this was, indeed, an act of boldness.
In a state like Nasarawa, where expectations for anyone succeeding Governor Sule are high—given his significant efforts to move the state forward—the challenges are very real. Only someone with thick skin and a fearless heart, like Wadada, can confidently step into Governor Sule’s shoes.

We all know that leadership is not about pleasing everyone. It is about service delivery. It is interesting to know that Leaders who leave lasting legacies are often the ones who were misunderstood at first. In Nasarawa state for example, we all misunderstood Governor Sule when he first assumed office. We criticized him for being too direct, we criticized him for being too outspoken, we criticised him for being too uncompromising. Yet those same qualities later became the foundation of decisive governance under his leadership.

Wadada’s journey reflects that pattern. There are some that are currently criticizing Wadada for being too arrogant, there are some that are criticizing him for being too outspoken, there are some that are criticizing him for being too direct, there are also some that are criticizing him for being too uncompromising.

Wadada has a passion for telling the truth regardless of whose toes it steps on. This character trait is why some people perceive Wadada as being disrespectful.

In 2027, Nasarawa State will need a leader who can confront hard truths about development, infrastructure, youth empowerment, security, and economic growth—just as Governor Sule is currently doing.
Nasarawa needs someone who can sit at the table of power and speak without fear or favour.
One thing we should bear in mind here is that boldness in the Wadada context, is not arrogance. It is a conviction.
Bold leaders like those we see today in Nigeria such as Bola Tinubu, Abdullahi Sule, and Ahmed Aliyu Wadada are admired for their courage and decisiveness. They earn respect because they care about the interests of the people. In doing so, they naturally attract both loyal supporters and admirers. Indeed, this is how any ambition grounded in conviction ultimately succeeds.

In Wadada what some, called stubbornness has indeed, matured into steadfastness. In Wadada what some call disrespectful has evolved into respect for traditional institutions, for elders and for the constituted authority.
In the meantime, we all know that for Wadada, the road to 2027 in Nasarawa State will be smooth—that’s the nature of politics. But history and life teach us that fortune does not reward hesitation; it rewards the bold.
By every measure, Wadada remains the boldest.