A significant crack has emerged within the Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the 2027 governorship race.
The immediate-past governor and North Central Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has publicly declared that incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule did not consult him before unveiling a preferred successor.
Governor Sule had announced on Thursday, during a meeting with political appointees at the Government House in Lafia, that Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada (representing Nasarawa West) is his chosen heir for 2027.
Speaking with journalists on Saturday in Lafia, following a courtesy visit from former Inspector-General of Police Mohamed Abubakar Adamu—himself a governorship aspirant—Al-Makura described the governor’s endorsement as premature and a potential violation of party guidelines.
“I was never consulted as a major stakeholder before the pronouncement of a preferred successor,” Al-Makura stated. “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.”
He stressed that the APC has yet to commence the sale of nomination forms. “Any endorsement at this stage amounts to jumping the gun before the formal process begins,” he added.
While acknowledging the governor’s right to a personal preference, Al-Makura raised a sharper concern: “Also, I think it is a little too early for such a preferred candidate to be taken to Mr. President. What is the hurry? Let us wait and ensure we comply with the party’s guidelines.”
The former governor reaffirmed that the party’s directive for direct primaries will be respected. “We will abide by that and ensure that the most qualified person emerges—someone who can secure the majority of votes from the people of Nasarawa State,” he said, urging leaders to emulate President Bola Tinubu’s focus on the rule of law and internal democracy.
Echoing Al-Makura’s concerns, former IGP Mohamed Adamu accused the state’s party executives of abandoning neutrality. “Party executives in the state have long taken sides with Senator Wadada. They have openly campaigned for him against other aspirants,” Adamu alleged.
“The governor, as an individual, has a right to prefer Mr. A or B. But that should not manifest itself in the governmental structure,” Adamu explained. “Calling on all government officials who represent the people of Nasarawa State and forcing them to support Wadada is wrong.”
Earlier, at a rally in the Ciroma electoral ward of Lafia LGA, Adamu rallied thousands of supporters around the APC’s adoption of direct primaries for 2027, framing it as a democratic firewall.
“Direct primary means one member, one vote. No governor, no cabal, no caucus can decide for you,” he declared. “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.”
He vowed to see the race through to the 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. We will submit to the rules of our party and to the sovereign verdict of our people. Nothing more. Nothing less.”