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By Abel Leonard, Lafia
The political temperature in Nasarawa State is steadily rising as the countdown to the 2027 general election begins. Behind the calm façade of governance lies a flurry of consultations, alignments and quiet manoeuvres within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where the question of succession is already shaping conversations across the state’s political circles.
Power-brokers, party loyalists and grassroots mobilisers are all reading the mood, calculating interests and positioning for what many describe as a defining moment for the APC after eight years of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration.
Though many names have been whispered in political corridors, only four figures have continued to dominate the discussion. They are: Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, Dr. Faisal Shuaibu, Dr. Ahmed Musa Mohammed and former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Muhammed Adamu.
Each of them represents a different face of power: the seasoned politician with national reach, the technocrat with global repute, the administrator with deep grassroots connection, and the security-conscious bridge-builder with growing local appeal.
Political observers believe the emergence of these four men has set the stage for what could become one of the most intriguing political battles in Nasarawa’s recent history. With zoning, loyalty and internal democracy all at play, the 2027 contest, Daily Sun gathered, may determine not only who leads the state next but also whether the APC can sustain its dominance in an increasingly divided political terrain.
Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada’s name has long resonated across Nasarawa politics. Once a dominant figure in the Keffi axis and a powerful grassroots mobiliser, Wadada’s influence peaked around 2019 when he contested the governorship primaries against the present governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule.
In 2023, after sensing an unfavourable delegate composition within the APC, Wadada defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he went on to clinch victory in the Nasarawa West senatorial election, defeating Ahmed Tukur, the APC’s preferred candidate endorsed by the then national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
His victory was widely interpreted as a political masterstroke, a rebellion against the APC establishment that succeeded beyond expectations. Yet, as 2027 approaches, the political environment has evolved dramatically.
The Wadada of 2019 and 2023 is not the same as the Wadada of 2025 heading towards 2027. His once-formidable base in Lafia, which served as a strong mobilisation hub appears to have thinned out, eroded by years of shifting alliances, defections and a new generation of political influencers.
According to observers, Wadada’s much-publicised return to the APC was expected to spark massive enthusiasm. Instead, the turnout and support during his official homecoming were underwhelming. Political commentators interpret this as a symptom of declining influence, worsened by social media battles and emerging power blocs, including the quiet but formidable entry of ex-IGP Adamu from the Nasarawa South zone.
A senior APC chieftain in Lafia who requested, observed that: “Wadada remains a respected figure, but the game has changed. Politics in Nasarawa today is about alliances, youth mobilisation and visibility within the party hierarchy. Many of those who once followed him have moved on or are pursuing their ambitions elsewhere.”
Daily Sun’s findings reveal that many of the key figures who rallied behind Wadada during his 2019 and 2023 political exploits are now scattered, some in opposition parties and others chasing personal interests within the APC. This fragmentation could make it difficult for him to rebuild a cohesive structure before the primaries.
The zoning sentiment also threatens his comeback. Keffi, Wadada’s political stronghold, has produced more office holders than any other LGA in Nasarawa West, from the First Republic governor to successive senators. This dominance has bred quiet resentment among other LGAs like Karu, Toto, Kokona, and Nasarawa, which feel politically shortchanged.
A veteran political analyst in Karu, Emmanuel Gaje summed up the sentiment, when he said “We cannot continue to be spectators while one local government monopolises power. The votes that deliver elections often come from the LGAs that feel neglected, and this time, they are determined to make a statement.”
This “rotation agitation” may influence the behaviour of the delegates and voter psychology during the primaries.
Still, Wadada’s national network remains his ace. His longstanding connections in Abuja and the APC’s top echelon could become decisive, especially in a party where federal influence often shapes state outcomes. But strategists warn that “Abuja politics” rarely wins elections at the grassroots. “Wadada has the Abuja contacts,” an APC strategist in Keffi admitted, “but elections are local. If the party must field him, they must first ensure unity. Otherwise, internal sabotage could ruin everything.”
Among the newest entrants into Nasarawa’s governorship orbit is former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu. His entrance has recalibrated existing alignments and injected fresh tension into the ruling party.
Known for his quiet demeanour and reputation for discipline, the ex-IGP’s political emergence is anchored on three themes, security, stability, and inclusive leadership. These are appealing to a populace fatigued by insecurity, political fragmentation, and leadership fatigue.
Observers describe him as “calm but calculated,” deliberately forging alliances across political divides and ethnic interests. His early engagements, particularly in Lafia, have earned him considerable respect among party loyalists, traditional rulers, and security-conscious youth groups.
A political commentator in Lafia, Muhammed Salyu noted that “He came into the scene with a different vibe, one that emphasises security and discipline. He is not playing the usual political games, and that’s what surprises many people about him.”
However, his fast-rising profile has not gone uncontested. Some party stakeholders accuse his loyalists of fuelling internal tensions, particularly during the Gayam Ward controversy, where supporters allegedly sponsored a legal challenge against the APC state chairman, Dr. Aliyu Bello, seeking his removal.
Although the ex-IGP has distanced himself from the episode, analysts say it revealed the internal rivalries now shaping the APC’s pre-2027 structure in Lafia.
A stakeholder close to the party leadership said: “There is scepticism among some executives because of how his supporters handled the Gayam issue. But what no one can deny is that he has gained substantial ground in Lafia, and his support base is expanding fast.”
Analysts argue that Adamu’s security credentials and bridge-building disposition could be his greatest strengths. His appeal cuts across party lines and social strata, a rare advantage in a polarised political climate. Yet, like many technocrats-turned-politicians, his major test lies in grassroots penetration.
To win, he will need to build a visible political base in all 13 local government areas not just Lafia.
If political office were decided by competence alone, Dr. Faisal Shuaibu would be a frontrunner. The former Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) is widely credited for coordinating Nigeria’s immunisation campaigns and COVID-19 vaccine rollout achievements that earned him international recognition.
Often described as the “technocrat in the race,” Dr. Faisal embodies the intellectual and managerial qualities reminiscent of Governor Abdullahi Sule, another technocrat who successfully transitioned from the boardroom to the ballot.
Political observers see in Faisal the continuity candidate, someone who could sustain Sule’s legacy of prudent fiscal management, human capital development, and private-sector partnerships.
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Yet, the same attributes that make him to be admired among elites may also be his biggest obstacle at the grassroots.
A political science lecturer at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, who do not want his name in print said: “Elections here are not won by degrees or diplomas; they are won through empathy and physical presence. Dr. Faisal must translate his goodwill into political structures, ward by ward, delegate by delegate.”
An APC youth leader in Akwanga also echoed the same sentiment: “We know him as a performer in Abuja, but politics in Nasarawa is different. People follow those who attend burials, naming ceremonies, and community events. He must come down to that level to connect.”
However, Faisal’s supporters argue that his clean record, vision for development, and non-controversial image could attract disenchanted voters seeking an alternative to career politicians. They believe his humility and professional competence could reshape the narrative of leadership in Nasarawa.
Among the four, Dr. Ahmed Musa Mohammed, the current Accountant-General of Nasarawa State, is arguably the most deeply rooted in both governance and grassroots politics.
A former Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, his experience cuts across the legislative and executive arms, giving him an insider understanding of how power functions in the state.
His calm, strategic disposition and wide network across the 13 LGAs have earned him respect as a unifier. He enjoys cordial relations with traditional rulers, youth bodies, and political blocs, a network many see as a silent machinery for future ambition.
While critics accuse him of using state resources to fund early political activities, Dr. Ahmed has consistently denied such allegations, reaffirming loyalty to Governor Sule. “I have not declared any political ambition,” he said recently. “My commitment is to ensure our financial management remains transparent and accountable. When the time comes, we will make the right decision in line with the law.”
Political watchers believe his silence is strategic, a cautious play to avoid premature opposition while quietly consolidating his network.
As Nasarawa inches toward 2027, these four figures, Wadada, Faisal, Ahmed, and Adamu, symbolise four distinct political identities: the experienced politician, the technocratic reformer, the grounded administrator, and the disciplined unifier.
For Governor Abdullahi Sule, the coming succession battle represents more than just a transition, it is a referendum on his leadership. His eventual preference, whether open or discreet, will likely shape the direction of the primaries and could determine whether the APC remains cohesive or fractured under competing ambitions.
Party insiders say the governor’s influence remains significant but delicate. “He will have to balance loyalty with viability,” one senior APC member remarked. “Whoever he backs must be able to win, not just be loyal.”In the end, 2027 will not simply be about ambition. It will be a battle of alliances, perception, and purpose, and the candidate who masters these three, while keeping the party united, may well carry the day.
Nasarawa youths weigh in
Meanwhile, prominent youth groups across Nasarawa State have called for calm and restraint among citizens, particularly young people, amid rising political activities and speculations over who will succeed Governor Abdullahi Sule in 2027.
The youth leaders made the appeal during a one-day interactive session with the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, held at the VIP Lodge, Akwanga.
Speaking at the event, the State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Solomon John Damina, urged youths to avoid unnecessary tension and political agitation, stressing that the decision on who succeeds Governor Sule remains within his prerogative and that of the APC.
“As far as the 2027 governorship election in Nasarawa State is concerned, we urge our teeming youthful population to eschew unnecessary tension and embrace calmness as political activities intensify until Governor Abdullahi Sule decides,” Damina said.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Nasarawa State Chapter, Rt. Hon. Habiba Umar Iliyasu, advised young people to allow the political process to unfold naturally. “Until Governor Abdullahi Sule decides, the trajectory of our state’s political future is still unfolding. It is crucial we allow the process to take its natural course without undue pressure or agitation,” she said.
Other representatives of tribal, religious, and student bodies present at the meeting echoed similar sentiments, emphasising that peace and unity must remain a priority over political differences. “Politics should not be a source of division amongst us. We must remain peaceful and focus on supporting whoever the leader of our state, Governor Abdullahi Sule, decides to anoint, in line with party legitimacy and due process,” the youth leaders stated.
The youth groups noted that their call for restraint was prompted by increasing political manoeuvres and heightened ambitions among potential aspirants across the ruling APC, adding that such developments, if not well managed, could create unnecessary tension in the state.
In his address, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, commended the youth for demonstrating maturity and political consciousness. He said the session was convened to foster peace and unity among the youth ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I am glad to interface with our young and vibrant youth today. This programme, convened by my ministry in collaboration with the NYCN and other youth bodies, aims at mobilising our youths for a peaceful political environment under the slogan Until A.A. Sule Decides, Every Youth Should Remain Calm, “ Yakubu explained.
He cautioned that the growing political agitation over succession could destabilise the peace and progress achieved under Governor Sule’s administration if not properly managed. “The governor has called for caution and patience, urging citizens to remain calm in line with the approved electoral timetable before making his choice known to everyone,” Yakubu added.
He further called on youths to channel their energy toward productive ventures and contribute to the development of the state. Yakubu also hinted that the people of Nasarawa Northern Zone are still awaiting Governor Sule’s response to calls urging him to contest for the Nasarawa North Senatorial seat in 2027.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, praised the Commissioner for organising the interactive session, noting that it would help douse political tension in the state. “Wisdom dictates that we actually remain calm until Engr. A.A. Sule decides,” Dr. Alhassan said, adding that the governor’s prudence and experience would guide him to make the right choice for the state’s future leadership.
The event drew participants from several youth and community-based organisations, including the Nasarawa State Youth Empowerment Agency, Mada Development Association, Eggon Youth Association, Rindre Youth Association, Nigerian Youth Parliament, Nasarawa North Senatorial Youth Forum, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI), as well as various students’ unions and social media influencers.
The next interactive session is scheduled to hold in the Western Zone before concluding in the Southern Zone.
The gathering ended with a unanimous voice vote from participants, reaffirming the collective resolve of Nasarawa youths to remain calm “until Governor Abdullahi Sule decides” on his preferred successor in 2027.
