Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has stirred political waters across the state following a recent public declaration made on his behalf of his intention to contest the Nasarawa North Senatorial District seat in the 2027 general elections.
The disclosure, which came from Suleiman Musa Nagogo, Director-General of the State’s Bureau for Pension Administration, appears to contradict a position previously taken by the governor in January 2025, when he categorically distanced himself from any senatorial ambitions.
Addressing stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Wamba Local Government Area on Tuesday, Nagogo revealed that Governor Sule had asked him to deliver a message to his home constituency.
“I have been in Wamba with a crystal clear message from His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, to simply introduce a very important subject matter to the people of my own home, Wamba Local Government Area,” Nagogo said.
“That important message is to inform them that he is desirous of contesting for the office of Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2027.”
Nagogo further explained that the governor had set up a committee to begin groundwork for the senatorial bid, although the structure was still in its early stages. “That committee is still a committee of work in progress because we have yet to reach any reasonable milestone in the process of executing this project,” he noted.
The development comes just four months after Governor Sule publicly urged his supporters to stop promoting a senatorial campaign in his name. Speaking at an event in early January, the governor said, “If you see anybody campaigning for A.A. Sule as a senator, the person is doing it on his own. I have not told anybody that I am interested in going for the Senate.”
He also cautioned against distractions, insisting that his focus remained on fulfilling his mandate as governor. “I don’t want to be distracted. I want to concentrate and do what is best for the people of Nasarawa State. Anything outside that will be a distraction, and I don’t want it.”
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The shift in tone, whether strategic or reflective of evolving political calculations, has generated quiet buzz within political circles in the state.
Nasarawa North Senatorial District encompasses three local government areas: Akwanga, Wamba, and Nasarawa Eggon. Akwanga serves as the headquarters and collation centre for the district. The current senator representing Nasarawa North is Godiya Akwashiki of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who secured re-election in 2023 after defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022 .
In his Tuesday address, Nagogo called on Wamba constituents to take ownership of the governor’s senatorial aspiration, framing it as a homegrown project.
“Charity begins at home. I should be able to take it upon myself to call on my own people of Wamba Local Government and inform them about this project,” he said.
He added: “It is equally my duty to inform my own people way beforehand that in terms of capacity, in terms of the wherewithal, in terms of the in-depth knowledge and understanding of the politics of this senatorial district, Governor Abdullahi Sule is second to none.”
Nagogo highlighted Governor Sule’s infrastructural and policy achievements, particularly in the state capital and key sectors.
“At least, we need no emphasis to make our people realise the massive transformation he has carried out in Lafia. We need nobody to inform us about the very in-depth steps he has taken in improving the agricultural sector in Nasarawa State. We need nobody to inform us that in terms of exploration of solid minerals, Governor Abdullahi Sule has been the pacesetter.”
The political landscape in Nasarawa State is dynamic, with discussions around zoning and succession planning gaining momentum as the 2027 elections approach.
Although Governor Sule has yet to make a personal public statement confirming the bid, the remarks made by Nagogo suggest that plans for the Senate race are underway.
