Nasarawa APC Group Warns Wadada Against Alleged Tinubu’s Name-dropping, Intimidation Of Rivals

A pressure group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State has cautioned Senator Ahmed Wadada against alleged dropping of the name of President Bola Tinubu to gain undue advantage in the state’s 2027 governorship race.

The group, Nasarawa APC Integrity Forum, accused Wadada, who currently represents Nasarawa West in the Senate, of name-dropping instead of seeking grassroots support like other aspirants.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Lafia by its coordinators, Zamani Daniel and Ibrahim Tukur, the forum alleged that the lawmaker has been boasting about his closeness to Tinubu and businessman Gilbert Chagoury while allegedly intimidating political opponents and their supporters.

“We know Mr President to be a true democrat who respects the will of the majority,” the group said. “It is therefore surprising that Wadada is allegedly claiming that the President will hand-pick him ahead of other aspirants who are more popular and established.”

The forum stressed that democracy thrives on popular participation, urging all aspirants to engage party members and the electorate rather than rely on perceived influence.

“Anyone who believes in their popularity should go to the people and seek their mandate. With the adoption of direct primaries, aspirants must market themselves to party members instead of using questionable means to secure endorsement,” the statement added.

The group further alleged that Wadada was attempting to leverage connections with security and anti-corruption agencies to pressure other contenders in the race.

Describing such actions as undemocratic, the forum warned that intimidation of aspirants posed a threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.

“Political ambition is a constitutional right. Every aspirant should be allowed to pursue it freely without fear or harassment. Any attempt to suppress others through intimidation is not only unacceptable but dangerous to our democracy,” the group stated.