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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Concerned Nasarawa State Ethnic Youths Group has cautioned political actors against inflaming tensions ahead of the 2027 governorship race, warning that reckless rhetoric and ethnic mobilisation could destabilise the state.
The group said recent claims by a body identified as the Forum of National Youth Presidents of Ethnic Nationalities, Nasarawa State chapter were “misleading” and capable of creating unnecessary division.
The group’s coordinator, Ibrahim Thaddeus Maiyanga, said Governor Abdullahi Sule had not imposed any candidate, stressing that his expression of preference should not be misconstrued as endorsement.
“Contrary to the false alarm raised, the governor has not imposed Senator Aliyu Wadada or any other aspirant on the people. He merely expressed a personal preference, which is his constitutional right under a democratic dispensation.” Maiyanga added that the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election would be “free, fair and transparent,” insisting that “no one has been blocked from contesting.”
On the contentious issue of zoning, the group argued that it remains a legitimate political arrangement aimed at ensuring equity and inclusiveness, dismissing claims that it is unconstitutional.
“The claim that zoning is unconstitutional is legally inaccurate. The Constitution does not forbid political parties or communities from adopting zoning as an internal arrangement for fairness. Many states in Nigeria have successfully used zoning to ensure balanced representation.”
The group also cautioned against what it described as dangerous narratives around indigeneity, noting that Nasarawa State is home to diverse ethnic groups, all of whom are indigenous to their respective areas.
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“Every ethnic group in Nasarawa State — Eggon, Alago, Gwandara, Mada, Migili, Tiv, Hausa, Fulani and others — are indigenous to various parts of the state. No single group holds a monopoly over indigeneity,” Maiyanga said.
It further condemned threats allegedly issued by the rival youth forum to mobilise against so-called non-indigenous candidates, describing such moves as “a veiled threat of political violence and ethnic blackmail.”
“No group has the right to intimidate others or preemptively reject the outcome of a democratic primary,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its position, the group dissociated itself from the communiqué credited to the Nasarawa State Youth Leaders Forum, insisting it neither authorised nor endorsed the position expressed.
“We dissociate ourselves fully and completely from that communiqué. It does not represent us and does not speak for the ethnic nationalities of Nasarawa State,” Maiyanga declared.
The group called on all governorship aspirants, party leaders and stakeholders to “stop overheating the polity” and allow democratic processes to prevail.
“Let the delegates decide at the primary. Let no group assume the role of kingmaker or king breaker through threats and inflammatory language,” he said.
The group stressed that while political contests are inevitable, the peace, unity and long-term development of Nasarawa State must not be sacrificed. “Politics is transient. Elections are won and lost. But the peace of our communities and unity of our people must outlast every political season,” the statement added.
