By Rayyanu Bala

Politics, like every human endeavor, comes with victories, disappointments, expectations, and sometimes disagreements. The aftermath of the APC governorship primary election in Nasarawa State has once again reminded us of this reality.
Following the outcome of the primary election, former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, decided to leave the APC, a development that has generated considerable political discussion across the state. In response, several prominent figures and stakeholders made sincere efforts to persuade him and his supporters to accept the outcome of the exercise in the interest of party unity, democracy, and the overall development of Nasarawa State.
Among those who openly appealed for reconciliation was Governor Abdullahi Sule. During a meeting with his political appointees last week, the governor candidly accepted responsibility for any shortcomings associated with the primary election process. He acknowledged the fact that many political observers would agree with the fact that no election anywhere in the world can be absolutely perfect. While admitting the imperfections, he urged all aggrieved parties to sheath their swords and place the collective interest of the state above personal grievances.
Similarly, Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, during a world press conference held at the conference hall of the Ministry for Local Government on June 1, 2026, made a passionate appeal to those dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries. He called on all stakeholders to come together, put their differences aside, and join hands in building a stronger and more prosperous Nasarawa State.
These appeals were not isolated. Many well-meaning individuals within and outside the party also encouraged reconciliation and unity. Their interventions were driven not by fear or political weakness, but by a genuine desire to preserve harmony and strengthen democratic values.
However, despite these efforts, the appeals appear to have fallen on deaf ears. Rather than healing the wounds created by the primaries, some observers believe the repeated pleas may have only deepened existing frustrations among those who felt unfairly treated. To them, the appeals may have sounded like adding salt to injury.
At this point, one may argue that the time has come to respect the decisions individuals choose to make. After all, every effort at reconciliation has been made. The governor, Senator Wadada, and other stakeholders have discharged their responsibility by extending the hand of peace and unity. Whether that hand is accepted is ultimately a personal decision.
Democracy is built not only on winning and losing elections but also on the freedom of individuals to make choices, even when others disagree with those choices. Once every reasonable attempt at reconciliation has been exhausted, it becomes necessary to allow people to follow the path they believe is best for them.
As the popular Hausa expression goes, “Allah ya raka taki gona” In political terms, it is a polite way of wishing people well on the journey they have chosen.
Perhaps that is where Nasarawa’s political actors now find themselves, having made every appeal for unity, they must now respect the choices of those who have decided to take a different path, while remaining focused on the larger task of developing the state and serving its people.
Having said that, one thing that continues to surprise me in our political space today is how some supporters become so emotionally attached to their preferred aspirants that they abandon facts and objectivity.
However, this brings me to an encounter I had a few days ago with some supporters of IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu (Rtd.) in Lafia and I asked them sincerely what motivated them to support him. The only answer I received was that they supported him simply because he is from Lafia. I asked them again whether that was their only reason, and they replied in the affirmative.
I then drew their attention to the fact that votes from Lafia alone cannot make Mohammed Abubakar Adamu the Governor of Nasarawa State. I also made them realize that if everyone chooses a candidate solely based on local affiliation, what then becomes the fate of our democracy?
Furthermore, I pointed out that someone like Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, if elected governor, could potentially do more for Lafia than someone who is from Lafia itself. I cited, as examples, the efforts Senator Wadada made toward the siting of the University Teaching Hospital in Lafia, as well as siting the headquarters of the North Central Development Commission in Lafia. I also narrated his role in facilitating the retention of Dr. Ikrama as, the Chief Medical Director of the Teaching hospital.
From my discussion with them, I realized that most supporters of Mohammed Abubakar Adamu in Lafia are merely blind followers whose only conviction is: “He is our own.”
It is high time we moved away from such politics.
As Hausa saying goes: “Sai kaki naka kafin na waje su so shi.”
We should therefore not support our own at the expense of competence, fairness, and the collective interest of Nasarawa state.