By Rayyanu Bala

Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, the APC governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, has been quoted on several occasions as saying that “the future of our dear state lies in unity, hard work, and purposeful leadership driven by sincerity and compassion for the people.”
That statement, in many ways, captures what every serious-minded politician who has the progress and development of Nasarawa State at heart should be talking about. Unity, hard work, and purposeful leadership are not just political slogans; they are the ingredients needed to move the state forward.
Unfortunately, some of the politicians we have today in Nasarawa State seem to be leaders in name only. Their actions and utterances do not always reflect the kind of purposeful leadership Nasarawa needs. Instead, some have resorted to inciting their supporters, creating tension, and fanning the embers of disunity among communities, all in the name of politics.
While this is happening, Wadada is taking a different approach.
Rather than encouraging his supporters to respond to provocation with violence, he has consistently called for calm and peaceful political engagement. Without such restraint, situations like the one being witnessed in Lafia could easily degenerate into serious conflict. After all, nobody has a monopoly on violence.
There is a Hausa saying: “Mai neman arziki baya fada.” In other words, someone who is genuinely seeking prosperity does not go looking for trouble.
This perhaps explains why Wadada has continued to emphasise peace and unity wherever he goes to campaign.
And something tangible is happening as a result.
His message of peace and unity, coupled with his grassroots support across the length and breadth of Nasarawa State, is increasingly becoming part of the political conversation shaping people’s thoughts.
Only last week, across different communities, endorsements and solidarity visits became part of the discussion around Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada’s governorship ambition.
Delegations representing different communities visited Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Government House in Lafia. Among them were Fulani and Tiv leaders, as well as representatives of other communities, who, according to reports, expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid and for Wadada ahead of the 2027 Nasarawa governorship election.
The significance of such visits goes beyond the ordinary.
Nasarawa is a politically and ethnically diverse state. Therefore, when people from different communities publicly express political support for Wadada, it naturally suggests that his candidacy is gaining considerable momentum ahead of the 2027 contest. Otherwise, what exactly are all these endorsements telling us?
Last weekend, the Alago community in Obi gathered to express support for Wadada and his running mate, Emmanuel Michael Umbugadu. The gathering brought together political stakeholders, women, youths, and supporters, with speakers presenting the endorsement as a demonstration of solidarity with the APC ticket.
This followed other expressions of support recorded in recent weeks. In addition, numerous APC stakeholders and community groups have already declared their support for the Wadada’s ticket.
Putting all these developments together, one is left with no other conclusion than to believe that Wadada’s candidacy has become a major subject of political mobilisation in Nasarawa State.
Everywhere you go, the chorus is Wadada.
There may hardly be a village or town in Nasarawa State where the name Wadada has not reached with a bang.
Therefore, Wadada is not approaching the 2027 election as simply another candidate.
Governor Abdullahi Sule publicly identified him as his preferred successor in April, following what he described as extensive consultations across different groups and parts of the state.
Wadada subsequently emerged as the APC’s governorship candidate after the party’s May primary.
Now, the political momentum around Wadada has translated into sustained grassroots organisation and continued political engagement across the state.
From the Government House in Lafia to community gatherings across the state, the atmosphere around Wadada’s candidacy is undeniably active. Different groups are making their voices heard, political stakeholders are taking positions, and communities are engaging with the emerging political reality ahead of 2027.
The question, therefore, is not simply whether Wadada is generating political activity. He clearly is.
The bigger question is what this activity means for the political future of Nasarawa State.
It means that Wadada is coming home to victory.
For now, however, the message coming loud and clear from the various communities is one that cannot be ignored.
Wadada is travelling, and travelling fast. Wadada is engaging, and engaging deeply. Wadada is listening and campaigning as though the election is coming up tomorrow.
Just as a Hausa man would say: “In kana da kyau, ka haɗa da wanka.”
Ultimately, however, the central message is simple:
Wadada is coming.