Governor Abdullahi Sule’s intervention in anointing Wadada as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election has averted what could have degenerated into a major political crisis in Nasarawa State, the Emir of Keffi, His Royal Highness Dr. Shehu Usman Chindo Yamusa III, declared on Wednesday in Lafia.
The monarch stated this when he led a high-powered delegation of traditional rulers, political leaders, legislators, commissioners, local government chairmen and other stakeholders from Nasarawa West Senatorial District to the Government House in Lafia, where they pledged total and unconditional support to Governor Sule for endorsing Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as his preferred governorship aspirant and successor.
According to the Emir, many people did not fully understand the magnitude of the political tension that could have emerged in the absence of the governor’s intervention.
“Your Excellency, you have done something that only few people know about. The reason why I say few is because they do not know the potential danger of what was going to happen. But you have saved the situation by anointing one of our sons to contest for the office of governor who is going to take over from you,” the Emir said.
He assured the governor that the people of Nasarawa West would remain loyal to him beyond his tenure in office.
“We are here to say thank you very much for what you have done. We are going to continue to be with our principal, which is you. Whatever you want, that is what we want. Whatever you want us to do, that is what we do. We are one. Anywhere you go, whether you are in this seat or not, be rest assured that the Western zone is with you,” he added.
The Emir further noted that the Western zone possessed the population, political influence, resources and manpower to assert itself politically, but commended Governor Sule for managing the situation with wisdom and fairness.
He also appealed to the governor to compensate party loyalists and stakeholders who made sacrifices for the party and the zone during the political process but were yet to be rewarded.
Responding, Governor Sule thanked the delegation for the solidarity visit and described the support from the zone as a reflection of unity and brotherhood.
The governor disclosed that arriving at Senator Wadada as the preferred aspirant was not an easy decision, considering the calibre of governorship aspirants from the Keffi zone, all of whom he said were competent and qualified.
He explained that the aspirants themselves agreed to trust his judgment in selecting a consensus candidate.
“They said, ‘Your Excellency, we believe your sincerity, we trust you, we believe that you will do the right thing, so whoever you select among us, we will support that person,’” Sule recounted.
The governor particularly commended former Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rado Habu Gosa, and Dr. Faisal Shuaib for stepping aside in the interest of unity, describing their actions as statesmanship deserving recognition.
Sule urged leaders in the zone to continue engaging aspirants who were still in the race through dialogue and persuasion rather than hostility or public attacks.
“Do not abuse them, do not insult them just because they have picked up forms. It does not mean that after further negotiations they are not going to support what you are supporting,” he said.
He warned against internal divisions within the Keffi zone, stressing that such conflicts would only benefit political opponents.
“Keffi Zone cannot be fighting Keffi Zone. It does not make sense. It is like two pigeons fighting themselves to death, and then two cats run and pick one here, pick one there, and the two pigeons are gone,” the governor stated.
Governor Sule also cautioned supporters of Senator Wadada against complacency, insisting that the direct primary election process would be transparent and competitive.
“The mistake some people are making is thinking we have written the result already. There is no result written anywhere. Come out and vote. That is what democracy is all about,” he said.
The governor concluded by condoling with the people of Keffi zone over the death of a female pilgrim from the area during the Hajj pilgrimage, describing her death as a noble end for a believer.
Earlier in his introductory remarks, Labaran Shuaibu Magaji welcomed members of the delegation, which included the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau; member representing the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Mohammed Ari; members of the state executive council; lawmakers; special advisers; heads of boards and parastatals; traditional rulers; former speakers; former heads of federal agencies; and governorship aspirants who stepped down for Senator Wadada, including Alhaji Ahmed Musa Muhammed and Dr. Faisal Shuaib