Political tensions are steadily rising in Nasarawa State as the race toward the 2027 governorship election begins to take shape, with a major rift emerging within the ranks of the All Progressives Congress (APC). At the centre of the unfolding drama is former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who has firmly rejected moves to impose a consensus candidate ahead of the party’s primary election scheduled for May 21, 2026.
Adamu’s stance directly challenges the growing influence of Senator Ahmed Wadada, widely seen as the preferred successor to Governor Abdullahi Sule. Wadada, who currently represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, had recently indicated that consultations were ongoing among party leaders to adopt a consensus candidate, an approach often used to avoid internal conflict and present a united front.
Speaking through his Director General, Musa Hussein, during a press briefing at the Lafia secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the former police chief made his position unmistakably clear. According to Hussein, Adamu is determined to test his popularity at the polls, insisting that democracy within the party must not be compromised by backroom agreements.
“He believes strongly in his acceptance among the people,” Hussein said. “The primary election is an opportunity for party members to decide who truly represents their aspirations.”
The declaration has effectively set the stage for what could become a fiercely contested primary within the APC in Nasarawa State. While consensus arrangements are not uncommon in Nigerian politics, they often generate controversy, especially among aspirants who feel sidelined by elite negotiations.
For Adamu, the decision to push forward signals both confidence and defiance. Having served at the highest level of Nigeria’s policing structure, he is no stranger to high-stakes environments. Yet, transitioning from national security leadership to state-level politics presents a different kind of challenge, one that requires grassroots mobilisation, political alliances, and public trust.
On the other hand, Wadada’s camp is believed to be banking on strategic endorsements and the backing of influential party figures, including those aligned with Governor Sule’s administration. Supporters of the consensus approach argue that it would help the party avoid divisive primaries and strengthen its chances in the general election.
But critics, like Adamu’s supporters, see it differently. They argue that imposing a candidate risks alienating party members and undermining internal democracy, an issue that has plagued political parties across the country.
As the countdown to the May 21 primary begins, political observers say the situation in Nasarawa could become a litmus test for how the APC manages internal dissent ahead of the 2027 elections. A competitive primary could energise the party’s base, but it also carries the risk of deepening divisions if not handled carefully.
Meanwhile, residents of the state are watching closely. For many, the contest is not just about personalities but about the future direction of Nasarawa, its development priorities, governance style, and political stability.
In the coming weeks, negotiations, alliances, and possibly further disagreements are expected to shape the trajectory of the race. Whether the party ultimately settles on a consensus candidate or proceeds with a full-fledged primary, one thing is clear: Mohammed Adamu has drawn a line in the sand.
And in doing so, he has ensured that the road to Nasarawa’s 2027 governorship election will be anything but predictable.
