By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia
As the 2027 general elections draw near, the political atmosphere in Nasarawa State is already charged, with major contenders in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) quietly intensifying consultations across the state’s 13 local government areas.
At the heart of the growing political contest is the question of who will succeed Governor Abdullahi Sule—and whether the zoning arrangement will hold.
Though zoning has no constitutional backing, it has long been a gentleman’s agreement in Nigerian politics, aimed at promoting fairness, equity, and inclusivity, especially in diverse states like Nasarawa. The state, naturally split into three senatorial districts—Nasarawa North, South, and West—has rotated power among these zones over the past two decades. With the North currently completing its eight-year turn, political observers argue that it is now the West’s turn again, after waiting over 20 years since it last held power under Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
However, zoning in APC appears to have been unofficially discarded, leaving the race wide open.
Governor Sule, the latest in the line of Nasarawa’s kingmakers, is widely expected to anoint his successor, just as his predecessors did. Senator Abdullahi Adamu endorsed the late Aliyu Akwe Doma in 2007, and Senator Tanko Al-Makura successfully installed Sule himself in 2019. Now, all eyes are on who Sule will back in 2027.
Rumours within APC circles suggest Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the immediate past Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), is emerging as a frontrunner. With his stellar record in public health—leading Nigeria’s successful battle against polio and managing nationwide COVID-19 vaccinations—Shuaib is being positioned as a technocrat with integrity, competence, and the pedigree to govern.
Political insiders say Sule, known for prudent leadership, may see Shuaib as a kindred spirit—capable of continuing his legacy without political baggage.
Other names in the mix include Professor Mohammed Haruna, former head of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and Senator Aliyu Wadada, a former APC stalwart now with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), currently representing Nasarawa West in the Senate.
Wadada, despite enjoying massive grassroots support, faces two major hurdles: his defection from APC and a lingering rift with Senator Abdullahi Adamu, dating back to the 2019 senatorial primaries. While many acknowledge his political strength, party insiders believe APC leaders may not entrust the party’s ticket to someone outside their fold.
Professor Haruna, though linked closely to Adamu, is seen by many analysts as lacking the grassroots appeal and political base to withstand a vigorous campaign against better-known figures like Shuaib or Wadada.
Dr. Shuaib’s appeal goes beyond his resume. His endorsements by international agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), for his leadership and institution-building, have enhanced his reputation as a problem-solver. Analysts believe his technocratic background, coupled with deep ties to Nasarawa West, could make him the consensus candidate—especially if Sule throws his weight behind him.
While Shuaib has yet to make any formal declaration, his growing popularity and strategic positioning suggest he is the man to beat. As political intrigues unfold in the coming months, Nasarawa will be watching closely to see if Governor Sule’s choice aligns with public sentiment—or sparks internal divisions within the APC.
Only time will tell which way the pendulum will swing.
2 Comments
Dr Faisal is highly recommended to fit in through his remarkable blueprints from past positions held in Nasarawa state and beyond.
Time my brother