Governor Sule assures Nasarawa West stakeholders of fairness in 2027, upholds zoning

By Yahaya Idris, Lafia

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has assured stakeholders from Nasarawa West Senatorial District that he will ensure fairness and equity in the process leading to the emergence of his successor for the 2027 governorship election.

He emphasized that he is a product of zoning and fairness, recalling how in 2018, stakeholders from his own Nasarawa North Senatorial District had to seek support from other zones to get a fair chance at the governorship in 2019.

The Governor pledged to maintain fairness across all zones by the grace of God.

Sule made these remarks during a meeting where he hosted stakeholders from the Keffi zone (Nasarawa West) on a solidarity visit at the Government House.

He acknowledged the importance of zoning as a principle for political equity in Nasarawa State and affirmed his commitment to fairness in the lead-up to the 2027 election.

“I will never forget Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, who stood his ground that we must have that opportunity. He stood his ground and said, ‘No, the Northern zone must produce a governor.’ Thank you, Tanko Al-makura. Thank you, Tanko Al-makura. Thank you, Tanko Al-makura.

“At the end of the day, all the zones contested. Every zone, Northern zone, Western zone, Southern zone all contested. The God Almighty has destined that I will be the governor. I am a product of zoning. I am a product of fairness. I will be fair by the grace of God,” he stated.

While appreciating the turnout of stakeholders from the western zone at the event, Governor Sule expressed confidence that at the end of the day, with the great prospects ahead for Nasarawa State, the people of Nasarawa West would support his administration once his successor emerges in order to work together for the benefit of the state.

“I know you came to demand for leadership and I know you have a responsibility that once we have a leader, we will be able to work together to ensure that all these areas of prospects are fully utilised for the benefits of the people of Nasarawa State.

That is the whole idea. I heard your message crystal clear. I am happy with the number of people who turned up here. I know that one day, when we end up having a governor from your side, whoever we have, whether he is here or not, you will continue to remember that these are the people that came begging for this position. These are the people who worked so hard that by the end of the day, I can not shame them. This is the responsibility that I have that you see me working day and night,” he added.

The Governor used the opportunity of the visit to highlight some of the milestones recorded by his administration, including attracting a Chinese company that has completed the construction of the biggest lithium mining and processing plant in West Africa.

“Most of these whether they are in the form of investors or in form of agriculture, mining and infrastructure have been successful mainly because of your support and prayers. The biggest lithium processing plant in West Africa in Nasarawa have just been completed by a Chinese company. They came to inform us that the factory is ready for commissioning. The great prospects that we are in Nasarawa State,” he said.

Earlier, in an opening remarks, leader of the delegation and first civilian governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, said the stakeholders from Nasarawa West were at the Government House to seek the support of Governor Sule and his administration towards realising their ambition to produce his successor come 2027.

Senator Adamu, who was a former national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) also said they were on a solidarity visit at the Government House to wish the Governor and his administration well.

“On this visitation, we have two items on our agenda. Our first agenda is to wish you well. And wish this administration well. We wish to thank God Almighty for seeing you through your mandate so far. That your mandate is still in action. Your mandate is still running.

“The visit is to underline our support for you, for your administration, and for the success of your administration. We want to say for the umpteenth time that we are all gathered here as your supporters. If there were to be a third term, we would still be with you. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the constitution allows for only two-terms of four years each. I lack the right adjectives to qualify your success, your commitment to developing Nasarawa State. Standing ovation to the Governor.

“Our second agenda, is to be here with our arms open, we thank you, we need your support , we need the support of this administration for us to realise our ambition for one of us to be your successor,” Senator Adamu said.

Former Governor Adamu has emphasized the need to respect the state’s zoning agreement, suggesting the governorship should rotate to the Western zone (Nasarawa West) in 2027 as part of a long-standing arrangement for peace and stability.

However, this view has faced criticism from some stakeholders who argue for meritocracy over strict zoning and point to the contributions of other zones and individuals beyond zoning considerations.

Governor Sule himself has indicated he will publicly endorse his preferred successor when the time comes but has warned aspirants against divisive rhetoric.