A fresh political disagreement has emerged within the Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following Governor Abdullahi Sule’s endorsement of Senator Aliyu Wadada as his preferred governorship aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections.
The endorsement, which was reportedly presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has stirred controversy and widened divisions between the governor and his predecessor, Senator Umar Tanko Al-Makura.
Al-Makura, who currently serves as North-Central Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, said he only learned about the endorsement through newspaper reports, expressing disappointment that he was not consulted as a key stakeholder in the state’s political structure.
Speaking in Lafia over the weekend, the former governor described the move as premature, warning that it could undermine internal democracy within the APC.
According to him, the party has not even commenced the sale of nomination forms, making any form of endorsement at this stage inappropriate.
He urged political leaders to exercise restraint and respect due process, adding that President Tinubu’s leadership style is rooted in discipline and adherence to the rule of law.
However, the development has also drawn reactions from other political actors, including former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu, who is also seeking the APC governorship ticket. He rejected the endorsement, insisting that Governor Sule’s preference does not guarantee automatic victory and vowed to contest the primaries.
Adamu maintained that every aspirant has equal rights within the party structure and expressed confidence in securing the ticket through the primary process.
In response, Governor Sule defended his actions through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Ali Abare, who said the governor did nothing unusual and was only following a long-standing political tradition in Nasarawa State.
He cited past instances where previous governors had selected preferred successors, including Senator Al-Makura himself, arguing that such practices are not new in the state’s political history.
Abare further explained that the process leading to Wadada’s endorsement was not abrupt, but involved extensive consultations with stakeholders across the state, including party officials, youth groups, women’s organisations, traditional rulers, and other aspirants.
He also stressed that what was announced was a “preferred aspirant,” not a final candidate, noting that the party’s primary election would ultimately determine the flagbearer.
Meanwhile, Senator Wadada, the endorsed aspirant, said he remains confident in his ability to manage political differences and maintain unity within the party.
He described his relationship with other aspirants, including former IGP Muhammad Adamu, as cordial, and expressed optimism that any disagreements would be resolved through dialogue.
Wadada also appealed for calm among supporters, urging them to avoid insults and maintain respect throughout the political process.
Despite the tension, political activities continue to build momentum in Nasarawa State, with various groups declaring support for different aspirants and President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Observers say the unfolding situation highlights growing internal competition within the APC as the 2027 elections approach, with calls for unity increasingly clashing with early positioning by political stakeholders.
