Al-Makura Not My Godfather, Only Mentored Me Into Politics – Governor Sule

Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule, has pushed back against claims that his predecessor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, “brought him into office,” insisting that while the former governor supported his emergence, he did not singlehandedly make him governor in 2019.

Speaking during an interview on ‘Sunday Politics’ programme on Channels Television, Sule said, “He didn’t bring me into office; he supported me when I was coming into office. He didn’t pick me from the dustbin; he picked me as the group managing director of a quoted company.”

The governor also rejected the label of political godfatherism in his relationship with Al-Makura, describing him instead as a mentor. “He is not my godfather; he mentored me into politics,” Sule stated.

Sule’s remarks come amid reported disagreements between both men over 2027 succession politics in Nasarawa State, particularly regarding preferred aspirants for the governorship.

The governor acknowledged that Al-Makura has the right to support any candidate of his choice but stressed that such preferences should not be imposed on him.

“It is not a hidden secret that nearly all the meetings of that aspirant are held in his house. It’s not a secret that he has invited people, even some of my appointees, and asked them to work for that aspirant,” he said.

According to Sule, the divergence stemmed largely from zoning considerations, as he argued against returning power to a region that had already held thr governorship position of the State for 12 years.

“I strongly believe… it will not be fair to still go back to a zone that has just finished 12 years. That’s my justification,” he explained.

Despite the differences, the governor maintained that he remained respectful and appreciative of Al-Makura’s role in his political journey.

“I have shown gratefulness to him forever… just because you support somebody doesn’t mean that you are entitled to decide everything for that person,” Sule said.

He added that while leadership comes with differing opinions, no individual has the right to compel him to adopt a preferred candidate.

“He has the right to support whoever he wants… but he doesn’t have the right to force me to love his own aspirant, especially when I have my own justification,” Sule added.

The Nasarawa State governor further dismissed suggestions that his stance amounted to disloyalty, noting that he has maintained a cordial and respectful relationship with his predecessor.

“I have maintained my calm throughout… I have respected him everywhere I went,” he said, while cautioning against overreach in determining his successor.

“I will select an aspirant for you to take over from you, I think that’s overdoing it,” the governor said adding that especially when Al-Makura choice is coming from a zone that he doesn’t believe is the right zone

LEADERSHIP reports that Governor Sule recently announced Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada as his preferred candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 Nasarawa State governorship election.