Aliyu Wadada, the preferred governorship aspirant of Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has urged members of the All Progressives Congress to have a spirit of forgiveness and forbearance for the party to forge a united front for the 2027 election.
Wadada spoke during a gathering of party stakeholders and supporters at the Nasarawa State lodge in Abuja, shortly before submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms on Tuesday.
Speaking, Wadada said he was deeply moved by the overwhelming support shown to him across the state and pledged not to take it for granted.
Wadada expressed gratitude to the governor for the role he played in his emergence, noting that the process reflected trust, sincerity, and commitment to the unity of the APC in Nasarawa State.
The senator acknowledged fellow aspirants who stepped aside following the governor’s adoption of his candidacy, saying their conduct demonstrated honour and integrity.
“As we approach the 2027 general elections, I want to urge us to continue to forgive ourselves because that is the best way to remain united as a people and achieve success.
“To my fellow aspirants who have supported what the governor has decided, I cannot thank you enough. May God reward you abundantly,” he said.
Wadada also appreciated his long-time allies, including the state’s APC Chairman, Dr Aliyu Bello, whom he described as a friend of over four decades.
He also commended other stakeholders such as Shehu Tukur, Ahmed Musa, Faisal Shuaibu, Abubakar Nalaraba and other key APC stakeholders for their contributions and sacrifices.
On his part, a chieftain of the APC in the state, Dr Ahmed Musa, widely known as the Barade Nasarawa, emphasised the need for unity and faith, urging all other governorship aspirants and supporters to accept the outcome of the selection of Wadada as the will of God.
He noted that, while all aspirants were qualified, Wadada’s emergence should be seen as divinely ordained.
Musa highlighted the challenges of remaining in the opposition, referencing his experiences within the Peoples Democratic Party, and called on members of the APC to rally behind Wadada.
He stressed that Nasarawa State remained firmly aligned with the APC and encouraged collective support of Sule’s leadership and decision in choosing Wadada as his preferred successor.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, praised Sule for choosing Wadada.
“I want to use this opportunity to urge the citizens to stand behind Governor Sule’s choice and continue to pray for his success during the forthcoming primaries and general election.
“Supporting Senator Wadada would ensure continuity of the governor’s developmental strides,” he said.
Dr Aliyu Bello, in his remarks, recounted the political transition from former Governor Tanko Al-Makura to Governor Sule.
He clarified that while Al-Makura delayed presenting a preferred successor until late in the process, Sule had maintained a clear position from the beginning.
Bello revealed that he had pledged to support Sule’s chosen candidate, emphasising that his loyalty was tied to the governor’s decision.
The speaker of the state House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, renewed the call for unity of purpose among party members and expressed the confidence that Wadada would emerge victorious in the forthcoming primary election of the APC, citing the continued trust and support enjoyed by the current administration as a reason for citizens’ support for the party.
Our correspondent further reports that shortly after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms, Wadada claimed that the entire 13 council chairmen in the state endorsed him for the 2027 governorship election.
“The entire 13 local government chairmen of Nasarawa State are here. The entire legislature of Nasarawa State, from the Speaker, principal officers and members of the state assembly are here,” Wadada told journalists after submitting the forms.
He described the turnout as a reflection of broad-based support from across the state.
The senator also laid out an economic vision rooted in Nasarawa’s geographic closeness to the Federal Capital Territory, describing that proximity as an untapped advantage the state must actively exploit.
“Nasarawa State is the closest state to the FCT. Our proximity is an asset to us, and we shall leverage on it,” he said, adding that the state remained an investment destination with significant endowments yet to be fully utilised.
Wadada also praised President Bola Tinubu, attributing the scale of federal allocations reaching Nasarawa State to the removal of fuel subsidies, and urged Nigerians to back the President’s economic reforms.