Supporters of former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, staged a rally on Tuesday, calling on him to contest the Nasarawa State governorship election despite existing zoning arrangements within the state’s ruling political structure.
The demonstrators, who gathered in large numbers across key areas of the state, said Adamu possesses the leadership experience and national exposure needed to reposition Nasarawa for development. Chanting slogans and carrying placards bearing his name, the supporters insisted that competence should take precedence over zoning considerations.
The rally comes amid political tensions following the position of Governor Abdullahi Sule, who has backed the zoning of the governorship ticket to the Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone ahead of the next election cycle. The governor’s stance is seen as part of efforts to maintain political balance among the state’s three senatorial districts.
However, Adamu’s supporters argue that such arrangements should not override the will of the people. “This is democracy. The people must have the freedom to choose the best candidate, regardless of zoning,” one of the rally organisers said.
Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, who served as Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police from 2019 to 2021, has yet to publicly declare his intention to run for office. Nonetheless, his name has continued to feature prominently in political discussions across the state.
Political analysts say the development could signal growing cracks within party ranks, especially if pressure mounts on Adamu to join the race. They warn that a contested primary could reshape alliances and influence the balance of power ahead of the election.
Efforts to reach Adamu for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
As the political landscape in Nasarawa begins to take shape, the coming weeks are expected to determine whether the calls from supporters will translate into a formal bid, or if party zoning arrangements will ultimately prevail.
