By Francis Nansak
Approaching the year 2025 is not all about merry making for politicians as the year set.a pace for strategic permutation for those wishing to be on top as leaders in the forthcoming elections in the country.
People with ambitions to be president,governors, senators ,house representstive and state Assembly members are sleeeplessly taking notes and moving in that direction.
While the president and others seeks re-elections ,others are working hard to be successors either at the presidency, states, the national assembly or in the state houses of assembly.
The intriguing aspect of all these are the facts that many of such political offices seekers have either maintained a relationship with the people or are only interested in the position ,therefore availed themselves at point of their desires to be in political offices. This ,has over the years since the returned of democracy affected the system negatively.
Going forward ,these style of availability only when a particular individual who has never been in touch with his people or selectively group around his friends and family relations is being discovered by the electorates who are no longer comfortable with the “Big man Show” only to grab power
Those are the helms of affairs today are struggling in one way or the other to meet the people’s expectations ,while the new ambitious individuals are running around to be successors.
In Nasarawa State over Ten persons have indicated interest to become Engineer Abdullahi Sule’s successor come 29th May 2027.The amazing aspect into all these is that a lot of those justling to succeed this governor that has more than Two years as governor of the state are persons not known to the generality of the masses in the state.They are also not persons easily available at times of the people’s needs,but friends of the governor only at government functions in the state.
Critically and with news making the rounds as Observers Times records, the ruling All Progressive Congress have a handsome numbers of individuals who are eyeing the Shendam Road Government House Lafia.They includes ,the current Accountant General of the State, Rt Honourable Ahmed Musa, from Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa West Senatorial District.Dr Fiscal Shuaib the immediate past executive chairman Primary Health Care Development Agency from Toto LGA of Nasarawa West Senatorial District Architect Shehu Tukur,from Keffi LGA ,still of Nasarawa West Senatorial District,just as Mohammad Maikaya from Toto. And from other senatorial District of the state comes Abu Giza from the southern senatorial District of the state.And Zakka Yakubu from Akwanga Zone that was rumoured to be warming up for the governorship position.
While the main opposition PDP in the state hold onto the former candidate Hon,,David Emmanuel Ombugadu, which yet to go down well with some stakeholders of the party , leading instability in the People’s Democratic Party in ascertaining there level of preparedness for the 2027 contest.
And from across the existing local government areas in the state , Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada,currently representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District is one person though of the Social Democratic Party SDP appears to be the top contender amongst others prior to his interface , connectivity and governing style which has impacted the citizens of rhe state.Senator Wadada from al facet of democracy has demonstrated truism , accountability, transparency and his quest as a leader whose ambition is build around good governance touches not just the constituency he represents but spread across the Three senatorial District of Nasarawa State.
One characteristic of Senator Wadada’s leadership is his ability to attracting investors and his willingness for development that is factored around creating political awareness and education,which he beliefs strongly as a metaphor for advancement of the society.
All these has made him in the views of those who felt marginalized , deprived politically to bestow confidence in him as one politician who could bring a turn around to them,the society and strengthens rural development.
No wonder a group in recent time root for his return to the ruling APC with a view that amongst those canvassing to succeed Governor Abdullahi Sule ,Senator Wadada is in the bet position to move the state resources, infrastructure and human development that will unbundle the potentials of Nasarawa State.
Dr Fiasal Shuaib in recent has indicated his interest for governorship of the state ,his appearance is widely believed that he has the backing of the governor as well he anointed would be candidate of the APC come 2026 in order to be the party flag bearer , but this has not been substantiated anywhere despite noticing the body language by those at the corridors of the Nasarawa State Government House.
Dr Fiasal Shuaib though an erudite administrator who beared his experienced and capacity for changes when he last served as executive chairman PHCDA ,his headship of the agency brought to limelight development of primary health care in parts of the country,but he is said to have poor relationship with people except for his Toto people and a few friends around whom he relate with .
A pundit submitted that ” For any politician who does not have a free relationship with people, can not be trusted with power.
” Nasarawa State people are tied of politicians who become lords , we are advancing towards realms of development backed by human relations not one who sees himself as alpha and omega.it won’t work.we need people who identify with us when they are in their low estate and not seekers of elective positions.
Examining Alhaji Maikaya chances for the 2027 election to be Governor Abdullahi Sule’s successor, his name ring a bell politically,being a one time governorship aspirant.His Maikaya Foundation is also another to his credit,which has impacted youth, the old and serve as a panacea for educational advancement to mainly those in his Toto country home, with not much impact for people at karu or Awe, Wamba, Doma e.t.c
Though a gentleman with a large heart for humanity, his political tentacles is lacking some basic awareness expecting to boost the confidence of the stakeholders and political gladiators in the state.
Honorable Ahmed Musa the current Accountant General of the state ,served in the then leadership of the PDP as speaker Nasarawa State Assembly, his reign had a seamless experience of ending the state law makers with often struggle to oust the the Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura who was of the CPC in 2013 to 2014 which never saw the light of the day , Ahmed Musa became a known figure in Nasarawa State politically.
From Nasarawa Local Government Area,still like others mentioned earlier his quest to succeed his principal, the incumbent governor is a heated discussion that have endeared him to earn support of the people.
Ahmed Musa political career is also favoured by his humility and style which could beat the heart of any one privileged to come across him.Although he is not the outspoken type but he has the tendency of a good leader.
For Abu Giza , a lot of persons sees him as a de- factor politician who is coming out just to be known as an aspirant,according to a source, Abu Giza within him knows that he can not go above politicking only in the southern senatorial District of the state of at all accepted .
While all the permutations and consultations continue ahead of 2027 even as ban on political activities lasted ,the PDP is yet to prove it muscles towards returning to power after 14 years of being out of power ,this indicates that they are likely going to lose again come 2027.
The question on ground is would all these power blocs withstand senator Wadada? The answer is not far fetch.Is Senator Wadada prepared to return to the ruling APC? With or without his return can those canvassing to succeed the incumbent governor Abdullahi Sule beat Wadada? The answer is in simple terms as they need impact the people as much as senator Wadada has done .While the Senator Wadada impact continue to grow his return to the APC may send away those justling for succession, but if he chooses to remain on the SDP platform , this will also end the reign of the APC in the state just like the APC ended the PDP reigns.
Give and take Senator Wadada isone politician Nasarawa State citizens long to have as governor of Nasarawa State amongst those canvassing to succeed Engineer Abdullahi Sule.
