Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has formally signalled his succession plan ahead of the 2027 governorship election, naming Senator Aliyu Wadada as his preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor made his position known during a meeting with political appointees at the Government House in Lafia, following what he described as extensive consultations aimed at preventing internal party rifts and fostering consensus.
Sule said the endorsement emerged after engagements with key stakeholders across the state and a thorough assessment of aspirants jostling for the APC ticket.
Providing insight into the process, the governor disclosed that he met with all 14 governorship aspirants within the party, both collectively and individually, before narrowing the field to three contenders considered viable for electoral success.
He said further consultations led to the decision to back Wadada, citing his perceived electoral strength.
The governor noted that the current political dynamics differ from the 2018 contest, when all three senatorial zones produced aspirants, explaining that only two zones have shown interest this time, while his own zone stepped aside in pursuit of consensus.
Sule commended aspirants from the Western Zone for agreeing to support whoever emerges as the party’s flagbearer, describing the move as a demonstration of political maturity and unity.
He added that consultations with aspirants from other zones were ongoing, with some already indicating readiness to align with the emerging arrangement.
The governor stressed the importance of balancing political offices across the state, including positions in the Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly, as part of efforts to sustain inclusiveness.
Sule also used the occasion to reaffirm his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging party members to remain united and mobilise support for the President in the coming elections.
Senator Wadada, who represents Nasarawa West in the 10th Senate, recently defected from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the APC ahead of his governorship ambition.