Nasarawa: Haruna Rejects Consensus, Vows To Challenge Wadada

A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, Prof. Mohammed Sani, has rejected the consensus arrangement adopted by stakeholders of the party across the three senatorial zones, declaring his intention to contest in the party’s primaries.

He said he would slug it out with Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, widely regarded as the preferred candidate of the incumbent governor, Abdullahi Sule.

Following the emergence of Wadada, Sani convened a consultative meeting in Keffi with chairmen, secretaries and leaders of his support groups, describing the gathering as a decision-making forum rather than a campaign rally.

The former Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) said the meeting was held based on recommendations from his Contact and Mobilisation Committee after reviewing political developments in the state.

He explained that he delayed announcing his position to allow for wider consultations.

“This is not a rally but a consultative meeting of chairmen and secretaries of various associations and leaders of several support groups drawn from different areas,” he said.

“As advised by members of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee, the essence of this meeting is to hear the views of our supporters.

“We insisted that all chairmen, secretaries and vice chairmen of the various support groups should attend to enable us to make a collective decision.

“When the government announced its position, aspirants within this group agreed to consult stakeholders before taking a decision. That is why I did not speak earlier.

“Based on your verdict, I have accepted to contest the primaries. We will hold a rally on Wednesday.”

Defending his decision to join the race, Sani cited his contributions to the formation and growth of the party.

“I supported the Congress for Progressive Change and contributed to the establishment of party structures. There are individuals who can attest to our role in setting up party offices across local government areas,” he said.

He also referred to the ongoing succession debate, noting that earlier expectations around the selection process had changed.

“We gave the governor the latitude to choose a candidate based on certain expectations, but developments have altered that position,” he said.

Sani maintained that his actions were not in defiance of party authority.
“We are not acting against constitutional authority. We remain committed to the party.

If the primaries are free and fair, we will accept the outcome,” he added.
Stakeholders at the meeting urged him to proceed with the contest, citing zoning considerations and internal party dynamics.

Speaking on behalf of Nasarawa North Senatorial Zone, Suleiman Amgbashi said the call for Sani to run was linked to demands for balance within Nasarawa West.

“If the position is zoned to Nasarawa West, considerations should extend to other local government areas within the zone,” he said.

From the Southern Zone, Ibrahim Adega said the absence of a broadly accepted consensus made a primary election necessary.

“The governor may have a preferred candidate, but that does not make the choice binding on all stakeholders. A contest is therefore inevitable,” he said.