2027: Al-Makura’s Criticism Of Governor Sule’s Endorsement Of Wadada Hypocritical — Nasarawa Govt

The Nasarawa State Government has responded to comments made by former governor of the State, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, describing his criticism of incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule’s endorsement of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as his preferred aspirant for the 2027 governorship race, as inconsistent and lacking in merit.

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In a statement issued Thursday by the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Ali Abare, posted on his verified Facebook handle, the State government said it was compelled to respond following Al-Makura’s appearance on ‘Politics Today’, a current affairs programme on Channels Television on Wednesday night, where he criticised Governor Sule’s endorsement of Wadada.

Responding directly to Al-Makura’s claim that he was not consulted before the endorsement, Abare questioned the former governor’s own actions while in office.

“But when he was governor and identified Engineer Abdullahi Sule as his preferred successor in 2018, how many people did he consult?” he asked.

Abare stressed that Governor Sule had consistently maintained that “power belongs to God alone” and remained committed to a free and fair primary election, insisting that Wadada would have to contest alongside other aspirants.

“The Governor did not present Wadada to Mr. President as the APC candidate. He presented him as his preferred aspirant, which is a statement of personal conviction, not a circumvention of any process,” the statement said.

The statement noted that Al-Makura had, in a follow-up post on X after his television appearance, admitted supporting Sule’s choice of Wadada and acknowledged that he too endorsed Sule for the 2019 race during his tenure without opposition.

“That single statement dismantles the entire structure of his Wednesday night argument,” Abare said, adding that the practice of outgoing governors identifying preferred successors was long established in Nasarawa politics.

According to him, “The tradition in Nasarawa State, established long before Governor Sule came to office, is that a departing governor plays a role in identifying his preferred successor. Senator Abdullahi Adamu did it. Senator Al-Makura did it. Governor Sule is doing the same.”

The State government also raised concerns about Al-Makura’s neutrality, pointing out that he had recently hosted former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, and his campaign team in Lafia, where he reportedly praised the former police chief as a leading contender.

“That is not the posture of a neutral referee. That is a man who has made his choice but wants to dress it in the garments of principle,” the statement pointed out.

Abare further defended Governor Sule’s preference for Wadada, citing his political experience and track record.

“Senator Wadada served two terms in the House of Representatives and is currently serving as a Senator. He was the national financial secretary of the nPDP, the political platform that collapsed into the APC and fundamentally changed Nigeria’s political history. These are not small credentials,” he said.

He contrasted this with the political profile of former IGP Adamu, noting that despite his distinguished policing career, he iss relatively new to partisan politics.

“Former IGP Adamu, by contrast, is only now cutting his political teeth… he has never contested even the position of a councillor. Politics is not merely an extension of professional achievement; it is a calling that demands its own kind of experience,” Abare stated.

The State government maintained that any grievances should be addressed through the party’s internal processes rather than public criticism.

“Those dissatisfied with the Governor’s preference should prepare for the primary election. That is the appropriate arena,” the statement said.

It added, “Turning to television cameras and alleging violations of due process, while the very critic did the same thing in 2018 and has since admitted it, will not move Governor Sule one inch from his position. The primary will be free and fair. Let the aspirants face it.”