Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has dismissed critics of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary process that produced Barrister Danladi Halilu Envulanza as the party’s candidate for the Nasarawa North Senatorial bye-election, describing them as politicians with no experience of credible primaries.
Speaking at the grand finale rally of the APC held on Thursday at Government Secondary School, Akwanga, Governor Sule said Envulanza’s emergence was the outcome of a genuine consensus arrangement, noting that his co-contestant voluntarily stepped down and joined the campaign.
The governor formally presented the APC flag to Envulanza ahead of the Saturday, June 20, bye-election and used the occasion to announce the imminent release of funds for several infrastructure projects across the state.
According to Sule, contracts for key projects would be activated by Monday. The projects include the construction of twin two-storey classroom blocks and a football field at Government Secondary School, Akwanga, landscaping and completion of the Wamba market, construction of the road linking Nasarawa-Eggon to Mada Station, as well as the completion of markets in Toto, Nasarawa, Doma and Awe local government areas.
He explained that the classroom projects were designed to address the school’s long-standing shortage of quality facilities and to recognize the efforts of its management and students. The governor attributed the availability of funds for the projects to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Chairman of the Danladi Halilu Envulanza (DHE) Campaign Council, Senator Philip Aruwa Gyunka, described the campaign as highly successful and expressed confidence that the APC would record a landslide victory in the election. He credited the governor’s performance in office for making the party’s task easier and urged voters to remain peaceful despite opposition allegations of planned electoral manipulation.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, said the APC candidate enjoyed overwhelming grassroots support across the senatorial district. He pointed to the administration’s development projects across the zone and called on voters to consolidate on the achievements of the government by supporting the APC in future elections.
Representing the APC National Chairman, the party’s Deputy National Secretary, Prof. Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, SAN, described Envulanza as the most deserving candidate for the bye-election due to his years of dedication and service to the party. He commended Governor Sule for the transformation witnessed in Akwanga and other parts of the senatorial district, urging the electorate to reward the party’s investments with victory at the polls.
Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 elections, appealed to voters to support both the party’s candidate and President Tinubu. He argued that the President’s economic reforms had increased the flow of funds for development projects in the state.
Wadada further announced that the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe road project awarded by the Federal Government would be flagged off in Akwanga on Wednesday. He also disclosed that the Tinubu administration was conceptualising a new coastal road linking Maiduguri, Adamawa, the North Central and the South-East regions to Lagos.
Director of Women Mobilisation in the DHE Campaign Organisation, Dr. Justina Anjide-Kotso, assured party supporters that women across the senatorial district were prepared to turn out massively for the election. She said Envulanza’s patience and loyalty to the party over the years had earned him widespread support among women.
Meanwhile, Nasarawa State APC Chairman, Dr. Aliyu Bello, praised Governor Sule for the extensive preparations undertaken ahead of the bye-election. He warned party members working against the campaign that their actions would be noticed, stressing that loyalty remained essential for the party’s success.
Receiving the APC flag, Barrister Danladi Halilu Envulanza expressed appreciation to Governor Sule, the campaign council, party officials and members across the district’s 35 wards for their support. He noted that his candidacy had attracted goodwill beyond Nasarawa North and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him if elected.