Why All Former Nasarawa Governors Picked Their Successors — APC Chairman

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, through its chairman, Aliyu Bello, in this interview with AHMED TAHIR, explains the processes leading to the emergence of Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada as Governor Abdullahi Sule’s preferred aspirant for the party’s 2027 governorship ticket

Governor Abdullahi Sule recently indicated support for Senator Ahmed Wadada as his successor. What is the party’s position on this?

Is that an anointing or simply support for an aspirant? Yes, the governor has expressed a preference, but that does not amount to anointment. This is not the first time such a thing has happened, whether in Nasarawa or elsewhere in Nigeria.

Even at the national level, when Obasanjo was leaving office, he had a preferred candidate in Yar’Adua. Globally, too, in democracies like the United States, outgoing presidents often have preferred successors. So this is not unusual.

Having a preferred candidate does not foreclose others’ opportunities to contest. It didn’t happen in the past, and it won’t happen now.

For instance, when Abdullahi Adamu was leaving office, he preferred Aliyu Akwe Doma, yet several aspirants still contested, including Emmanuel Okodu Okpudu, Musa Elayo, and Musa Hussaini.

Similarly, in the Akwanga Zone, Solomon Ewuga, Labaran Maku, and others contested. When Tanko Al-Makura supported A.A. Sule, others like Hassan Liman, Dauda Shaibu, Kigbu, and others still ran.

So the governor has a preferred candidate and will campaign for him, but ultimately, a winner will emerge through a free and fair process.

As a party, we recognise the governor as our leader and align with his preferences.

The governor said he consulted widely before arriving at his decision. Did this include all aspirants?

The governor has always ensured inclusivity in his decisions, and this is no exception. He consulted widely, including with aspirants, particularly from the zone seeking the governorship.

In fact, I have not seen an outgoing governor consult as extensively as Abdullahi Sule. For months, he engaged stakeholders and repeatedly stated that his consultations were focused on two issues: where the governorship should come from, and who is best suited to sustain his administration’s work.

He consulted the party, and we supported his position that the governorship should go to Nasarawa West Senatorial District, which has not held power since 2007. That would make it about 20 years by the next election cycle.

We also agreed to support whoever he considers capable. Several meetings were held with aspirants and stakeholders, including former governors. At one point, we agreed to adopt direct primaries, since zoning is not formally recognised in the Electoral Act.

As party chairman, don’t you think this decision could trigger backlash?

Backlash is inevitable in politics. It has happened before and will happen again.

When Abdullahi Adamu supported Doma, there were objections. When Al-Makura backed Sule, there were disagreements as well. Yet, in the end, the process produced a candidate accepted by the party.

This situation is no different. Every aspirant has supporters, and reactions are expected. Our responsibility is to manage those reactions.

At the last meeting, aspirants were asked to suggest one or three names, but they could not reach a consensus and instead gave the governor the latitude to decide. They also pledged to abide by his decision.

We expect them to honour that commitment, although their supporters may react emotionally. That is part of politics.

The 2023 primaries nearly caused a crisis within the party. Could you let us know if you are prepared for a repeat?

We are making efforts to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2023. The issues were then clear: allegations of delegate list manipulation led some aspirants to defect.

Such situations are difficult to control, especially when individuals enter contests with a “must-win” mindset. Those who feel they cannot win may choose to leave, and that is their decision.

However, we are working to include everyone. While some may leave, others will join. That is the nature of politics.

Some people believe your relationship with Wadada influenced his emergence. How do you respond?

People are entitled to their opinions, but the decision was entirely the governor’s.

If my influence was decisive, why didn’t Wadada emerge in 2019, when I openly supported him? This time, I made a commitment to the governor to support whoever he chooses.

In fact, I only learned of Wadada’s selection at the same time as other stakeholders during a meeting. I was not informed beforehand.

A former Inspector General of Police and aspirant recently criticised the administration, claiming Lafia has seen little development. What is your reaction?

I initially found it difficult to believe, but I later saw the interview.

It is unfortunate because one should not act as opposition within one’s own party. If you seek to lead under a party’s platform, undermining that platform raises concerns about discipline and cohesion. Also, governance is not limited to Lafia alone. Lafia serves both as a state capital and a local government area, and development must be viewed in that broader context.

There have been visible changes in infrastructure and urban development. Claims to the contrary suggest a disconnect from realities on the ground.

Public office holders are assessed based on their records. During his tenure as Inspector General of Police, there were both positive and negative assessments. Reports in the public domain also linked his removal to performance concerns.