By Our Reporter

A gubernatorial aspirant in Nasarawa State Dr. Faisal Shuaibu has formally withdrawn from the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket, declaring his full support for Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, the preferred candidate of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
In a press conference he addressed today, the aspirant announced that he was stepping down from the contest and throwing “the full weight” of his political structure and conviction behind Wadada. He said the decision, though difficult, was guided by a commitment to honour an earlier agreement among aspirants to support whichever candidate the governor endorsed.
The development follows a series of meetings initiated by Governor Sule, who had convened eight gubernatorial aspirants from the western zone of the state in a bid to produce a consensus candidate ahead of the party primaries. The aspirants were tasked with deliberating among themselves to agree on a single flagbearer but were unable to reach a unanimous decision.
Subsequently, the group returned to the governor and requested that he make the final determination, pledging in advance to support his choice. At a later stakeholders’ meeting, Sule announced Wadada as his preferred candidate, a decision that reportedly drew mixed reactions among the aspirants.
Speaking on his withdrawal, the aspirant acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision, particularly after extensive consultations with supporters across the state. He described the process as one of the most challenging moments of his political career, noting that many supporters had invested significant time, resources, and hope in his candidacy.
Despite this, he emphasized the need for integrity in politics, stating that commitments made in good faith must be upheld, especially in difficult circumstances. He reiterated that his decision to step down was rooted in the promise he made to back the governor’s choice.
The aspirant also reflected on his background in public service, particularly in the health sector, where he said he learned the value of quiet, sustained effort over personal ambition. He framed his withdrawal as consistent with that philosophy, prioritizing collective unity over individual pursuit.
He further assured supporters that his political structure remains intact and would now be mobilized in support of Wadada’s candidacy. Extending goodwill to the APC flagbearer, he described the task ahead as significant and urged a focus on delivering for the people of Nasarawa State.
The endorsement is expected to strengthen Wadada’s position ahead of the APC primaries, as party leaders continue efforts to consolidate support within the western zone and beyond.