By Rayyanu Bala

While addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, I listened carefully to Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, and while he made his points with confidence, I couldn’t help but feel that his argument doesn’t quite reflect the lived political reality in Nasarawa State.
Zoning in Nasarawa may not always be codified in black and white, but it has undeniably existed in practice. More importantly, it has existed in spirit. That unwritten understanding of balance, fairness, and inclusion has quietly guided the state’s political evolution since the return to democracy.
Take a step back and look at the pattern. When Abdullahi Adamu completed his two terms, power didn’t just stay put, it shifted in a way that reflected a broader sense of inclusion, leading to the emergence of Aliyu Akwe Doma. The same thing happened after Tanko Al-Makura finished his tenure; that same balancing spirit created the pathway for Abdullahi Sule to emerge.
So when conversations today point toward zoning, especially with Governor Sule reportedly tilting toward Nasarawa West, it shouldn’t be misunderstood as an attempt to exclude anyone. Rather, it’s a continuation of a political culture that values rotation, fairness, and stability. These are not small things; they are the glue that holds a diverse state together.
Now, let’s address a common concern: does zoning stop people from contesting? The simple answer is no—and history proves it. Aspirants have always stepped forward, tested their strength, and engaged with the electorate, regardless of zoning sentiments. That space remains open, as it should in any democracy. What zoning does, however, is provide a kind of moral compass for the party, helping to ensure that power doesn’t become concentrated in one corner of the state for too long to the disadvantage of the other corners.
On the issue of consensus, I think we may be debating something that isn’t even on the table. Nobody is calling for a shut-door arrangement where candidates are imposed. Far from it. The expectation is simple: let everyone who is interested come out and contest. Let them meet the people, share their ideas, and earn their support. That’s the essence of democracy.
But even within that open contest, the party can and arguably, keep its eyes on the bigger picture which is zoning. This is not a barrier; it’s a stabilizing principle. It reassures different parts of the state that they, too, have a stake in power and governance.
So at the end of the day, this conversation shouldn’t be framed as inclusion versus exclusion. It’s really about continuity, it’s about keeping faith with a system, however informal, that has helped maintain political balance in Nasarawa over the years.