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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The simmering succession debate ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Nasarawa State has escalated into a full-blown political confrontation within the ruling APC, following Governor Abdullahi Sule’s open endorsement of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, a move that has deepened divisions over zoning and succession within the party.
What began as a routine transition conversation has now drawn in powerful political actors, including former governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, former deputy governor, Silas Ali Agara and former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu.
The disagreement, political observers say, is no longer about succession alone, but about the survival of an informal power-sharing arrangement that has defined governance in the state since 1999.
For over two decades, Nasarawa State has operated an unwritten rotational system among its three senatorial districts—West, South and North—as a means of balancing power and ensuring inclusivity.
With Governor Sule, from Nasarawa North, expected to complete his tenure in 2027, many stakeholders, particularly in Nasarawa West, have insisted that equity demands a return of power to their zone.
Governor Sule had repeatedly affirmed his commitment to this arrangement, stressing that zoning remains critical to unity and fairness.
“We must continue to respect the understanding that has kept our state united,” Sule said at a recent political gathering in Lafia. “Zoning is not just politics; it is about fairness, justice and ensuring that every part of Nasarawa feels a sense of belonging.”
His position is strongly backed by Abdullahi Adamu, widely regarded as one of the founding pillars of the APC in the state.
A senior party stakeholder familiar with Adamu’s stance said the former governor has remained “consistent in urging that the governorship should return to Nasarawa West.”
However, the political space shifted dramatically when Governor Sule publicly endorsed Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as his preferred successor, describing him as the embodiment of the “Muje Maha” philosophy of inclusive governance.
Wadada, who hails from Keffi in Nasarawa West, is seen as aligning with the zoning principle advocated by the governor and his allies. But the endorsement has triggered mixed reactions across the state and within the APC.
While supporters of zoning have welcomed the move as a clear signal of direction, others view it as premature and capable of shutting out other aspirants.
A party chieftain in Lafia, Saliyu Ahmed said: “The endorsement has clarified the governor’s position, but it has also heightened tension. Some feel the process is being narrowed too early.”
The zoning consensus is increasingly being challenged from within. The most direct opposition came from former Deputy Governor Silas Ali Agara, who declared that zoning should not determine who becomes governor in 2027.
“There is no law anywhere that says leadership must rotate,” Agara said while hosting Mada youth groups in Akwanga. “What we need in Nasarawa is competence, capacity and leadership that can deliver.”
His remarks have emboldened other aspirants and stakeholders who had previously been cautious about opposing zoning.
Agara warned that restricting the contest could deny the state the opportunity to elect its best candidate.
Adamu’s Ambition Complicates Debate
The growing political activities of former IGP Mohammed Adamu have further complicated the situation.
Though yet to make a formal declaration, his consultations across the state have fuelled speculation about his governorship ambition.
Adamu, from Nasarawa South, is widely een as a strong contender capable of testing the zoning arrangement.
A political analyst in Lafia described his emergence as “a direct challenge to the zoning doctrine.”
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“Adamu has the network and national profile. If he pushes forward, zoning alone may not be enough to stop him,” the analyst said.
Adding a new twist to the unfolding drama, former Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has expressed reservations over the manner in which the succession process is being handled.
Al-Makura recently revealed that he was not consulted by Governor Abdullahi Sule before the endorsement of Wadada, a development that has raised concerns about internal cohesion within the APC.
Political observers say his reaction signals underlying tensions among the party’s top hierarchy.
A senior APC official, Adamu Bako noted: “Al-Makura’s position is significant. His influence cannot be ignored, and his concerns suggest that all is not well within the leadership structure.”
Though he has not outrightly rejected zoning or the endorsement, analysts say his stance points to a deeper power struggle that could shape the party’s direction ahead of 2027.
Across Nasarawa State, stakeholders remain sharply divided. Supporters of zoning insist that abandoning the arrangement would destabilise the delicate balance among the state’s diverse interests.
A chieftain of the APC in Nasarawa West who do not want his name in print said: “We have waited patiently. This is our turn. The endorsement only reinforces what should naturally happen.”
But opponents argue that democracy should not be constrained by unwritten agreements or endorsements.
A youth leader in Akwanga said: “We want a leader who can perform, not someone chosen because of zoning or political endorsement.”
Political analysts warn that the APC is heading toward a potentially damaging internal crisis if the zoning dispute and emerging endorsements are not carefully managed.
Dr. Musa Abdullahi, a political commentator, said: “What we are seeing is a clash between tradition, ambition and now endorsement politics. That combination is volatile.”
Another analyst added that the involvement of influential figures on opposing sides makes compromise more difficult.
“You have the governor backing Wadada, Abdullahi Adamu supporting zoning, Agara rejecting it, and Al-Makura raising concerns about the process. That is a complex power equation,” he said.
The growing divisions have raised fears of defections and internal sabotage, with opposition parties already positioning themselves to capitalise on any fallout.
A political strategist in Lafia warned: “If the APC goes into 2027 divided, it will be extremely vulnerable.”
For many observers, the current situation represents a defining moment for the APC in Nasarawa State.
The party must decide whether to uphold zoning as a stabilising principle, allow open contest, or reconcile both through consensus-building.
At the centre of the unfolding drama is Governor Sule, whose endorsement of Wadada has now become a pivotal factor in the succession equation.
While the move provides clarity, analysts say it has also intensified pressure on the governor to manage competing interests within the party.
“The governor is trying to shape the succession, but the reaction shows that the process will not be straightforward,” a party insider said.
As the 2027 governorship race gathers momentum, the battle over zoning, ambition and endorsement is redefining the political landscape of Nasarawa State.
The choices made in the coming months may not only determine who succeeds Sule, but whether the APC can maintain its grip on power in the state.
