A group under the umbrella of the Forum of National Youth Presidents, Ethnic Nationalities in Nasarawa State, has rejected Governor Abdullahi Sule’s endorsement of the Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Ahmed Aliyu-Wadada, as his preferred successor.
It would be recalled that Governor Sule had recently announced Wadada as his preferred successor and called on his supporters, as well as stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, to back him ahead of the party’s forthcoming primary elections.
At a press briefing in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, the President of Bassa Youth and Coordinating Chairman of the forum, Silas Dauda Yileni, said the governor did not consult widely before making the endorsement.
He, however, acknowledged that while the governor has the constitutional right to express a preference, any candidate must emerge through a transparent democratic process.
“We recall when the former Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, endorsed the present governor in 2019; due process was adhered to. Numerous qualified aspirants contested, and the present governor emerged through a primary conducted among many aspirants,” he said.
Yileni emphasised that it was disturbing that such an important declaration was made without broad consultation, particularly with ethnic nationalities in the state.
“We demand a fair playing field for all APC governorship aspirants to ensure that a candidate emerges through a transparent and democratic primary process,” he added.
The group further urged citizens of the state to refrain from making provocative and disparaging remarks and to remain committed to safeguarding the political future of the state.
“It is disturbing that the Governor made this significant declaration without broad consultation and without carrying the ethnic nationalities along. We demand a fair playing field for all APC governorship candidates eyeing the Shendam Road Government House,” he stated.
While acknowledging the governor’s interest in the Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone, the group argued that zoning has never been a legitimate practice in the state.
“Aspirants frequently contest against formidable opponents from different zones. Zoning is unconstitutional and simply a matter of informal agreement; therefore, the people must be empowered to select their preferred candidate without external imposition,” the group said.
The forum also insisted on the emergence of an indigenous governorship candidate across political parties, warning against the imposition of any non-indigenous candidate.
“We demand an indigenous governorship candidate from the APC and other political parties irrespective of religion. Anything short of this, we will return to our communities and mobilise our people against such injustice.
“We will not support the imposition of a non-indigenous candidate on the natives, in the interest of fairness, equity, and justice. Let it be noted that our loyalty lies first with our people, not with a political party,” the group declared.
They further called on all stakeholders to act responsibly and ensure that the political process remains inclusive and democratic.
Umar Muhammed
