Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu has called on religious leaders in Nasarawa State to reject politics of religious, ethnic and sectional division, urging them to promote unity and issue-based leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wadada made the call on Wednesday while addressing pastors and community stakeholders from Keffi, Karu and Kokona Federal Constituency at a sensitisation and civic engagement meeting organised by the Grassroot Coalition Advocacy in Keffi.
The senator, who is the APC candidate Nasarawa State, said political leaders should not seek the support of citizens based on their ethnic or religious identities, but on their character, competence, capacity, experience and proven performance.
“I am above the politics of division because Nasarawa is bigger than our differences,” Wadada said.
He urged the clergy and other community leaders to help create an environment where citizens are free to make political choices based on ideas and the ability of candidates to deliver meaningful development.
According to him, “The politics of the future must be a politics of ideas and delivery.”
Wadada said he was not interested in politics that sets one community against another, stressing that his priority was to build bridges, expand opportunities and ensure that every part of the state was included in the development process.
He also used the occasion to present his legislative scorecard, highlighting interventions he said he had facilitated across Nasarawa State.
The senator said his aspiration to become governor was not driven by a desire for political office, but by the need to deploy his experience, capacity and commitment to the broader transformation of the state.
“I have served. I have delivered. I have impacted lives. And I am ready to do more,” he said.
Wadada said his proposed development blueprint, the Wadada HEARTS Agenda, provides a pathway for transforming Nasarawa through Human Capital Development, Energy and Mineral Resources, Agriculture and Green Economy, Rural and Urban Development, Trade and Investment, and Security.
He described the agenda as a practical framework rather than political slogans, saying it would focus on creating jobs for young people, improving opportunities for farmers and women, providing infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for businesses and investment.
“Our young people need jobs and opportunities. Our farmers need an enabling environment to produce and prosper. Our women need greater access to economic opportunities. Our communities need infrastructure,” he said.
The governorship aspirant further called on religious leaders, traditional institutions, community leaders, youths, women and other citizens to work together towards building a more inclusive Nasarawa State.
He said his record in the legislature had demonstrated his capacity to deliver interventions and impact lives, adding that he was now seeking the opportunity to do more through the executive authority of the governorship.
“I have contributed to the development of Nasarawa State. I have impacted lives through various interventions, and I am ready to achieve even more when I become the Governor of Nasarawa State,” he said.
Wadada was joined at the engagement by Hon. Daniel Ogazi, APC candidate for the Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency; Hon. Bawa Rabo, SSA on Greater Karu to the Governor of Nasarawa State; Alhaji Muhammad Bello (Deniji Keffi); Alhaji Sagir Mudi; Hon. Moses Aron; Salisu Atiku, his personal assistant; as well as other political leaders, community stakeholders and members of the clergy.
As part of efforts to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and civic participation, Wadada also donated a vehicle to the Grassroot Coalition Advocacy to support its outreach and engagement activities across the constituency.
He said the journey ahead was not merely about winning an election but about earning the confidence of the people and securing the opportunity to serve them.
“It is about moving Nasarawa from potential to prosperity,” Wadada said, while pledging to pursue accountable leadership, inclusive development and a government that works for every citizen.