The immediate-past Governor of Nasarawa State and North Central Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has revealed that he was not consulted by the incumbent Governor, Abdullahi Sule, before announcing his preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
Governor Sule had on Thursday, during a meeting with political appointees and heads of government agencies at the Government House in Lafia, announced the current Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, as his preferred successor in 2027.
Al-Makura stated this while speaking with journalists on Saturday in Lafia, shortly after a courtesy visit to his residence by a former Inspector-General of Police, Mohamed Abubakar Adamu, who is also a governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
While expressing concern over recent political developments in the state, particularly the issue of early endorsements, the former governor urged politicians to exercise caution and avoid actions that could violate electoral guidelines ahead of the party primaries.
He described the pronouncement by Governor Sule as premature, warning that such a move could undermine due process within the party.
According to him, the APC has yet to commence the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms, stressing that any endorsement at this stage amounts to “jumping the gun” before the formal process of producing aspirants begins.
“I was never consulted as a major stakeholder before the pronouncement of a preferred successor. 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 or successor or whatever name you call, it is his own. And 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.
“Also, I think it is a little too early for such a preferred candidate be taken to Mr. President at this early stage. What is the hurry? Let us just wait and ensure that we comply with the guidelines of the party.
“However, I want to assure you that since we are embarking on the primaries through direct primaries as directed by the party headquarters, we are going to abide by that and respect the rule of law and ensure that the most qualified person emerges, and we will ensure that whoever emerges is such a person that will ensure that we get the popularity or majority of votes of the people of Nasarawa State,” he added.
Al-Makura further advised political leaders to emulate the leadership style of President Bola Tinubu, which he said is anchored on the rule of law, discipline, and respect for internal democracy.
On his part, Mohamed Adamu lamented that party executives in the state had long taken sides with Senator Wadada, alleging that they had openly campaigned for him against other aspirants.
“But we are not detached and we are not distracted. The people of Nasarawa State are the determining factors in this whole process. The person that the governor said is his preferred candidate, as His Excellency, the former governor said, as an individual, the governor has a right to say his mind is okay with Mr. A or B.
“Today his mind is with Senator Wadada. It is his right. But that should not manifest itself in the governmental structure. Himself as an individual he did that, but calling on all government officials that are representing us, the whole people of Nasarawa State, and forcing them to say go and support Wadada is wrong,” he explained.
Earlier, during a rally organised by the Ciroma electoral ward of Lafia LGA where thousands of party members gathered in support of his ambition, Adamu hailed 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. The party has spoken, and that decision stands. This is the APC we joined. This is the APC we will defend with everything we have.
“Let there be no doubt anywhere: I am in this race to the very end. We are not spectators. We are contenders, and we are ready.
“Our blueprint for a safer, more united, and more prosperous Nasarawa State is ready. When the campaign window opens, we will present our agenda on Security, Unity, and Development to every ward, every community, and every party member.
“We seek no shortcut and we will take no shortcut. We will submit to the rules of our party and to the sovereign verdict of our people. Nothing more. Nothing less,” he emphasised.
Our correspondent reports that the governor’s endorsement of a preferred candidate has continued to generate mixed reactions across Nasarawa State, with stakeholders expressing divergent views on the timing and implications ahead of the APC primaries.