Nasarawa APC crisis deepens as Governor Sule’s endorsement of Senator Wadada triggers internal opposition and zoning controversy ahead of 2027 polls
Fresh divisions have emerged within the Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the endorsement of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as the preferred governorship candidate for the 2027 elections, a decision that has triggered internal resistance and renewed zoning debates.
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The controversy began after Governor Abdullahi Sule publicly endorsed Senator Wadada as his preferred successor, describing him as the embodiment of the “Muje Maha” governance spirit guiding his administration.
Governor Sule made the declaration during a public engagement in Nasarawa State, stating that political stakeholders must prioritise candidates with the capacity to secure electoral victory and sustain continuity.
However, the endorsement has since unsettled several party leaders, who argue that the decision was made without adequate consultation or internal consensus.
Former Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has emerged as one of the strongest critics of the move, describing the process as premature and lacking due political engagement.
Al-Makura stated that he was neither consulted nor informed before Wadada was presented at the Presidential Villa, insisting that due process within the party must be respected.
While acknowledging the governor’s constitutional rights, he maintained that internal democracy and stakeholder inclusion remain essential to party unity.
In response, Governor Sule, through his media aide, defended the endorsement, describing it as a deliberate and strategic political decision rather than an imposition.
The governor also maintained that presenting the preferred candidate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in line with established political practice and necessary for transparency within the party structure.
The development has also drawn reactions from other aspirants, including former Inspector-General of Police Abubakar Adamu, who insisted that the endorsement does not guarantee automatic victory, vowing to contest the governorship race.
Despite the tensions, the Majority Caucus of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly has declared support for Senator Wadada, urging party unity and alignment with the governor’s position.
Beyond internal disagreements, the endorsement has reopened debates around zoning and power rotation in Nasarawa State.
Some stakeholders argue that political fairness requires adherence to existing rotation arrangements among the state’s senatorial districts, while others insist that equity should be assessed more broadly across federal constituencies.
A coalition of political and community stakeholders has further argued that the Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency has never produced a governor since the creation of the state, calling for greater inclusion in future arrangements.
The group warned that perceived imposition of candidates could weaken party cohesion and create electoral risks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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As tensions persist, observers say the unfolding crisis could shape the APC’s internal dynamics in Nasarawa State as the party moves closer to its governorship primaries.
