The immediate-past Governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has disclosed that the incumbent Governor, Abdullahi Sule, did not consult him before announcing a preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
Governor Sule had on Thursday, during a meeting with political appointees and heads of government agencies in Lafia, named Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, who represents Nasarawa West, as his preferred successor.
Speaking with journalists in Lafia on Saturday, Mr Al-Makura described the pronouncement as premature and warned that such early endorsements could undermine due process within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He noted that the party had yet to commence the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms, adding that any endorsement at this stage amounted to “jumping the gun” before the formal process of selecting aspirants had begun.
“I was never consulted as a major stakeholder before the pronouncement of a preferred successor,” Mr Al-Makura said.
“While it may be the governor’s personal decision, it is rather too early. The electoral process is in stages, and we are still at the point where individuals are indicating interest.
“Since the process is yet to commence, whoever is his preferred candidate is his own. He has every democratic right to wish to have someone that he wants to vote for, because he has one vote like each one of us.
“I think it is a little too early for such a preferred candidate to be taken to Mr President at this stage. What is the hurry? Let us just wait and ensure that we comply with the party’s guidelines.”
The former governor urged politicians to exercise caution and avoid actions that could violate electoral guidelines ahead of the party primaries. He also advised political leaders to emulate President Bola Tinubu’s leadership style, which he said was anchored on the rule of law, discipline, and respect for internal democracy.
Meanwhile, a former Inspector-General of Police, Mohamed Abubakar Adamu, who is also a governorship aspirant, alleged that party executives in the state had openly campaigned for Senator Wadada against other aspirants.
“His excellency, the former governor, said that as an individual, the governor has a right to say his mind is okay with Mr A or B,” Mr Adamu said.
“Today his mind is with Senator Wadada. It is his right. But that should not manifest itself in the governmental structure. Calling on all government officials and forcing them to support Wadada is wrong.”
Speaking earlier at a rally in Lafia, Mr Adamu welcomed the adoption of direct primaries for the 2027 governorship race, describing it as a victory for internal democracy.
“Direct primary means one member, one vote. No governor, no cabal, no caucus can decide for you,” he said.
“We are not spectators. We are contenders, and we are ready. We will submit to the rules of our party and to the sovereign verdict of our people. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
Our correspondent reports that the governor’s endorsement has continued to generate mixed reactions across Nasarawa State, with stakeholders expressing divergent views on the timing and implications ahead of the APC primaries.
