2027: Gov Sule didn’t consult me on successor choice — Al-Makura

A former governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has said he was not consulted before Governor Abdullahi Sule publicly identified his preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship race.

Sule had recently named Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada as his choice for succession during a meeting with political appointees in Lafia, a move that has stirred debate within the state’s political space.

Speaking with journalists on Saturday, Al-Makura described the endorsement as premature, noting that the formal process for selecting candidates has yet to begin. He stressed that the ruling All Progressives Congress had not commenced the sale of nomination forms, making early endorsements inappropriate.

He added that while the governor has the right to support any candidate as an individual, such declarations should not undermine due process or party guidelines ahead of the primaries.

Al-Makura urged political actors to exercise restraint and allow the established procedures to run their course, assuring that the party would adhere to direct primaries and ensure that a widely accepted candidate emerges.

He also advised leaders to uphold internal democracy and the rule of law, citing President Bola Tinubu as an example of disciplined leadership.

Meanwhile, a former Inspector-General of Police and governorship aspirant, Mohamed Abubakar Adamu, criticised what he described as open support for Wadada by some party officials, arguing that such actions could compromise fairness.

Adamu maintained that the outcome of the race should be determined by party members through direct primaries, describing the process as a true reflection of internal democracy.

He reaffirmed his intention to remain in the race, promising to present his agenda to party members when the campaign period officially opens.

The governor’s endorsement has continued to draw mixed reactions across Nasarawa State, with stakeholders divided over its timing and potential impact on the APC’s internal processes ahead of the 2027 elections.