By Rayyanu Bala

It was Niccolò Machiavelli who described politics as a game of interest, ambition, and power. But in 2019 Wadada’s conduct reminds people that politics can also be about maturity, loyalty, patience, and respect for democratic processes. Today, many believe destiny is rewarding Wadada’s patience.
During the APC governorship primaries in Nasarawa State in 2019, the contest was intense. Senator Wadada stood shoulder to shoulder with other strong contenders, including the eventual winner, Governor Abdullahi Sule. Like every serious aspirant, Wadada had supporters who believed strongly in his chances. Emotions were high when the results were announced, and understandably, some of his loyalists and fellow aspirants urged him not to accept the outcome.
In Nigerian politics, that moment could easily have turned chaotic. Many politicians would have rejected the process, called press conferences, or even dragged the party into crisis. But Wadada chose a different path — the path of sportsmanship.
Instead of listening to voices encouraging division, he walked straight to where Abdullahi Sule was seated and congratulated him publicly. That single action sent a powerful message across Nasarawa politics: ambition should never be greater than party unity and peace.
Even more remarkable was what happened afterward. Senator Wadada drove directly to the residence of former Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to personally inform him that he had accepted the outcome of the primaries. In a political environment where bitterness often lingers for years, that move stood out as a symbol of loyalty and maturity.
But Wadada did not stop there. He went on to accept the responsibility of serving as chairman of the campaign council for Engr. Abdullahi Sule during the general election campaign. That decision surprised many observers because it showed he was willing to put the party above personal disappointment.
Today, looking at the political developments in Nasarawa State, many supporters see his emergence as APC flag bearer as proof that patience and loyalty can eventually pay off. Politics, after all, has a way of rewarding consistency and discipline over time.
Wadada’s journey also raises important lessons for other politicians, especially those who lose primaries. Defeat is painful, but how a politician reacts after defeat often defines their future. Wadada’s response in 2019 strengthened his reputation rather than weakening it. He showed that losing one battle does not mean losing the entire political journey.
This is why many people expected former IGP Mohammed Adamu to follow the same path after the recent APC governorship primary. However, the tone of his recent press conference appears to suggest otherwise. While every aspirant has the right to express concerns, party unity becomes difficult when grievances begin to overshadow collective interest.
Politics is not only about winning elections; it is also about character. Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu’s conduct in 2019 remains one of the clearest examples of political sportsmanship in recent Nasarawa history. Whether one supports it or not, his patience, calmness, and loyalty have become part of the story shaping his political rise today.
Many supporters now describe his victory at the just concluded primaries not as political success, but as an act of God — a reward for endurance, humility, and faith in the process.