Nasarawa Needs Proven Capacity In Governance – Group

The Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement has endorsed a former vice chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna, for the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections in Nasarawa State.

The group said competence must speak louder than politics, and their endorsement was rooted in results, as Nasarawa needs proven capacity to move forward.

Speaking during a press conference in Lafia yesterday, the state secretary of the group, Umar Abdullahi, said the endorsement followed Haruna’s track record in attracting industrial and technological investments to Nasarawa State.

Abdullahi said the group’s decision was also driven by Haruna’s role in facilitating key federal projects in the state, including the establishment of the Agricultural Equipment and Machinery Development Institute (AMEDI) in Lafia and the Solid Minerals Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (SOMMEDI), which he noted have strengthened Nasarawa’s position in Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.

He further credited the former NASENI boss with championing the establishment of the NASENI Solar Modules Manufacturing Plant in Karshi, describing the facility as a major boost to local solar panel production and a strategic step towards positioning Nasarawa State at the forefront of Nigeria’s clean energy transition.

The group also commended Haruna for facilitating employment opportunities for more than 1,000 qualified youths across NASENI and other federal ministries and agencies, describing the initiative as a clear demonstration of his commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development in Nasarawa State.

According to Abdullahi, the various projects and initiatives attracted by Haruna have placed Nasarawa State at the centre of Nigeria’s industrial and technological advancement, while laying a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth, job creation and skills development across the state.

He maintained that the group was convinced that Haruna possesses the experience, vision and leadership capacity needed to accelerate development in Nasarawa State, unite the people and align the state with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Abdullahi added that the Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement has already mobilised support structures across the 13 local government areas and 147 wards of the state, expressing confidence that Haruna’s candidacy would enjoy widespread acceptance among APC members and the electorate if he secures the party’s ticket.

The secretary further called on party stakeholders and delegates to consider competence, track record and capacity in their decision-making process, insisting that Nasarawa State cannot afford to gamble with leadership at a time when economic diversification and industrial growth are urgently needed.

He said, “This is about progress, unity, and prosperity, Haruna is our best path to that destination. This endorsement is based on his proven track record of delivering tangible, industrial and human capital development projects that directly uplift Nasarawa State and its people.

“His achievements demonstrate vision, capacity, and commitment to transforming Nasarawa from a civil service state into an industrial and technology hub,” he stated.

The group also appealed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to provide a level playing field for all aspirants, while urging party members to rally behind a candidate who can consolidate existing federal projects and drive sustainable development across Nasarawa State.