By Rapheal
From Abel Leonard, Lafia
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Nasarawa State, which was intended to celebrate infrastructural milestones, has instead opened a new chapter in the state’s political narrative, Daily Sun’s investigation reveals. A remark made by the president during his address—that he would support any gubernatorial candidate endorsed by Governor Abdullahi Sule—has ignited a storm of controversy within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State.
The statement, widely seen as a tacit presidential blessing for Sule’s preferred successor, has drawn mixed reactions. While some stakeholders view it as a call for unity, others see it as a breach of internal democracy, likely to tilt the balance unfairly ahead of the 2027 elections.
A Presidential Stamp on Development
The highlight of President Tinubu’s visit was the commissioning of key infrastructure projects. These included the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Interchange at the Lafia roundabout, a dualised Shendam Road, and the state-of-the-art Nasarawa State Secretariat Complex. The president lauded the state government for delivering high-impact projects without heavy borrowing.
“This state has proven that you don’t need to borrow endlessly to transform infrastructure. You need vision, capacity, and discipline,” Tinubu declared.
The visit served as a public endorsement of Governor Sule’s leadership, with the president commending the synergy between the federal and state governments.
Technocrat and APC governorship hopeful Dr. Faisal Shuaib hailed the development strides, noting that the projects would elevate administrative efficiency and enhance mobility.
“We cannot ignore the tremendous impact these projects will have on productivity and morale in the civil service and on urban mobility,” Shuaib said, adding that “President Tinubu’s presence affirms that Nasarawa is firmly on the national development map.”
Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, noted that President Tinubu’s visit was a strong signal that Nasarawa is integral to the country’s political and economic future.
“The president’s physical presence in Nasarawa and his strong policy signals are an affirmation that the state is critical to national economic and political strategy,” he stated.
The State’s Accountant-General, Dr. Musa Ahmed Mohammed, also weighed in, stating that “this investment is a game-changer that will boost our internally generated revenue and create massive job opportunities. It shows that Nasarawa is ready for industrial transformation.”
Solid Minerals Partnership: The Economic Edge
Perhaps the most consequential announcement came from the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, who revealed that Nasarawa will host Africa’s largest rare-earth processing plant via a $400 million investment led by the private sector.
“We are shifting Nigeria from merely exporting raw minerals to processing and value addition. Nasarawa is the cornerstone of this plan,” Alake said.
Governor Sule, known for his corporate background and technical know-how, stressed that the initiative would provide over 10,000 direct jobs and thousands more indirectly.
The Succession Controversy: A Loaded Statement
Despite the developmental highlights, it was President Tinubu’s political statement that stole the spotlight. Speaking at a private meeting with stakeholders and traditional rulers, the president said: “Whoever Governor Sule brings forward as his successor, I will support him. That’s my promise.”
While intended to unify the party, the comment has instead raised red flags, with critics arguing that the endorsement could stifle free and fair competition and threaten APC’s internal cohesion.
In response, Governor Sule, during a stakeholders’ meeting in Keffi, attempted to elucidate more on the president’s statement when he said “this power that you see comes only from the Almighty Allah. He alone gives power. A. A. Sule does not give power. When the time comes for me to say that I like somebody, I will mention it clearly without fear or favour.”
Party Chieftains React: Caution Over Coronation
Prominent APC figure, Alhaji Usman Abubakar Sandaji expressed concern over the tone of the president’s endorsement.
He said “with due respect to my great president, I am not on the same page with him. Elections in 2027 is in the hands of the voters. With the introduction of electronic voting, nobody can predict where the pendulum will swing. We should not give room for imposition.”
Another top APC member who preferred anonymity stated that “the APC is too big to be turned into a one-man endorsement vehicle. We must avoid creating factions out of loyalty lines. Let everyone test their popularity at the polls.”
The ‘Political IDPs’ Remark: Firestorm Ignited
Adding to the political firestorm was President Tinubu’s controversial jab at the opposition “A coalition of political IDPs—Internally Displaced Politicians—without direction or ideology.”
While the remark drew laughter from party loyalists, opposition figures and even some APC members found it divisive. For instance, Dr. Abdullahi Usman, a political science lecturer at the Federal University, Lafia, said: “when a sitting president belittles opposition actors, he risks polarising the electorate. Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive without vibrant, respected dissent.”
Also, Alhaji Usman Abubakar Sandaji, an APC chieftain noted that “they may become a strong opposition. The voters now matter more than ever before. Even the APC must prepare to work harder.”
Grassroots Sentiment: Projects Meet Pains
While federal presence was appreciated, many residents say it hasn’t translated into relief from economic hardship.
Margaret Ochapa, a hairdresser in Lafia, said: “President Tinubu’s visit shows he cares, but things are still hard. The road is good, but we need price control and help for small businesses like ours.”
On his part, a Keffi-based Motor-cycle rider, Danlami Garba, said “we thank the government for the new roads, but fuel is expensive, and food prices keep going up. They should fix the economy, not just build things.”
The Zoning Factor and 2027 Calculations
Nasarawa’s political tradition has been shaped by zoning arrangements, with increasing calls for the Western Zone to produce the next governor.
At the stakeholder event, Senator Wadada received a thunderous ovation—seen by some as a public signal of his growing popularity. Political watchers believe he could emerge as a consensus candidate if the zoning formula is upheld.
Daniel Usman, a political analyst and publisher, noted that “Wadada is not just a senator; he’s becoming the rallying point for the party’s West Zone, which many believe deserves the next governorship slot.”
However, others argue that Governor Sule might lean toward a technocrat or loyalist within his inner circle, such as Dr. Shuaib, whose development credentials are well-established.
Oppositions React
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) issued a statement describing President Tinubu’s visit as “a campaign in disguise.” Mr. Solomon Musa, a PDP stalwart, said: “the flyover is welcome, but it is not a substitute for job creation and democratic freedom. We challenge the APC to allow a level playing field in 2027.”
The Labour Party’s youth coordinator, Jonah Gambo, on his part, said “we will not allow recycled endorsements to dictate who governs us. The future belongs to the people, not to anointed godsons.”
Several Labour Party members circulated flyers and social media posts urging citizens to “vote for competence, not coronation.”
Civil Society cautions against imposition
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have also weighed in. Hajiya Salamatu Lawal, coordinator of the Women and Youth Democratic Alliance, warned that “endorsements by elites do not always align with the needs of the people. We are watching closely and will mobilize against any signs of political imposition.”
Comrade Ibrahim Musa, of the Nasarawa Youth Watch, said: “this generation is not afraid to speak up, 2027 should be about track record, not proximity to power.”
Regardless, Political analysts are of the opinion that, President Tinubu’s visit was a mixed bag—part development showcase, party political gamble. While the president successfully affirmed federal support for Nasarawa’s transformation under Governor Sule, his political comments triggered uncertainty and contestation within APC ranks.
Some analysts believe the visit may ultimately reshape political alignments in the state, especially if zoning debates and internal democracy dominate the lead-up to 2027.
“In a democracy still struggling with elite capture and mistrust, even well-meaning remarks can generate unintended consequences,” said Dr. Musa Mamman, a public policy expert.
As political temperature in Nasarawa rises according to observers, one fact becomes ever clearer: the people’s will must prevail over political declarations. Whether the APC heeds this call—or repeats the errors of top-down imposition—they will shape both the party’s fortunes and the democratic future of Nasarawa. If President Tinubu’s visit was meant to strengthen the APC, it has also exposed its cracks. Whether those cracks widen or close will depend on how party leaders manage the road to 2027.