Await Governor Sule’s guidance on 2027, Former Speaker Balarabe advises APC stakeholders, supporters

By Yahaya Idris, Lafia

A strategic political meeting was convened by the Immediate Past Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, bringing together a substantial gathering of politicians and key stakeholders from Umaisha/Ugya in Toto Local Government Area.

The meeting took place on Tuesday in Lafia, the state capital, and featured prominent figures from the constituency.

The attendees comprised both current and former elected and appointed political office holders who have served or continue to serve at various levels within Nasarawa State and Toto Local Government. Notably, these participants are from the Umaisha Area Administrative Council, ensuring a broad representation of interests and experiences from the constituency. Report says the meeting focused on discussing strategic political issues and developmental plans concerning Umaisha/Ugya and the wider Toto LGA.

The attendees of the meeting were led by key local government officials: the Administrator of Umaisha Area Administrative Council, Hon. Salihu Kasim Hasheem; the Secretary of Toto Local Government, Hon. Muhammed Baba Yahaya; and the APC Chairman of Toto Local Government, Alhaji Shuaibu Ahmed.

The meeting was held behind closed doors and lasted for over four hours. After the session, the former Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, who also convened the meeting, stated that it was a usual gathering with his people aimed at putting their affairs in order, especially in the current political climate, which is becoming increasingly active.

Balarabe Abdullahi, who is currently the Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, Yobe State, urged his people to be patient regarding which Governorship aspirants to support at this time.

He advised them to wait for direction from Governor Abdullahi Sule, who he described as the father of the state and its political leader.

Abdullahi acknowledged that several aspirants have shown interest in contesting for the Governorship and other positions.

He noted that while all the aspirants are qualified and capable, ultimately, only one individual will emerge as the candidate for a specific position at the appropriate time.

The former Speaker statement, “Leadership comes from God, he is the one that will choose whoever he wishes to be the next Governor and I believe that the person God will give, he will use Governor Sule to anoint the person,” Ultimate authority and decision-making in leadership selection rest with divine will. It emphasizes faith that God will determine the next Governor and that Governor Abdullahi Sule will play a key role, as a political leader, in endorsing or supporting the chosen individual.

“This is politics, and it is a serious political issue because we are talking about who represent us at various levels, who succeeds Gov. Abdullahi A Sule of Nasarawa State, His Excellency has done a great job for the people of the State, His performance is beyond expectations and he can never be naive on the matter of who succeeds him”

“Is just a matter of time and when the time comes, definitely Gov. Sule will choose who he may wish that he be his successor, he will chose a competent person that will consolidate on his achievements and by the grace of God the person the Governor will give us will be the choice of God “

Balarabe Abdullahi is urging the people of Nasarawa State, particularly those who have turned 18 years old, to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter’s Registration (CVR).

The former Speaker call emphasizes the importance of voter registration as a key step in ensuring their voices are heard in the democratic process, especially ahead of elections that will determine leadership and representation in the state.

“It’s Encourage full participation, helps strengthen democracy and ensures that eligible citizens can exercise their voting rights.”

“This meeting is very important to me and to our people. The purpose of this gathering is to inform you all that INEC has announced a continuation of updates to the Voter’s Registration process. This is a critical exercise, especially with the election period approaching. Therefore, it is essential to call on all critical stakeholders and politicians in our constituency to prepare for this exercise and to take it very seriously.”

“During the last exercise some people are not up to 18years but now are over and above, so they need to register, those with other corrections or damages also need to correct them now and I also want our people who are voting outside to use the exercise to transfer their voting home” Balarabe said.”

“Secondly, you know now people are looking for various positions ranging from State Assembly, House of Reps, Senate and above all the Governorship position and I told them to be patience, we are loyal party members, and the leader of our great party is His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi A Sule, so we should wait and wait for his direction, the direction of Government should be our direction”

“Thirdly, I talked of unity and law abiding by our people, recently, our brothers the Bassa people are back and is important to consider them as our own, we should work together for peace, unity and development of Toto LG, this is the essence of this meeting ” He said.

According to Balarabe Abdullahi, Toto Local Government (LG) has experienced challenges in the past, but thanks to the grace of God and the dedicated efforts of Governor Abdullahi Sule, peace has been restored in the area.

“We have gone through a lot of crises. To God be the glory. Engr. Abdullahi A Sule has greatly assisted us in bringing peace to Toto LG. We experienced the presence of the deadly terrorist group Darul Salam, kidnapping, among others, which made travelling along the axis difficult, but that is now history. So, for me, Engr. Sule is one person I believe in. Whoever he brings to succeed him, I know the person will love and cherish my people and my LG. So, we are with him totally because that is where we will have more peace and more development”

As a member of Engr. Sule’s administration, Balarabe Abdullahi evaluated the administration’s performance positively, stating that the State has achieved an unprecedented level of prosperity across all sectors and describing the Governor as a blessing to the State.

He advised all Governorship aspirants, who he acknowledged were qualified and capable, to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles of fair competition, recognizing that leadership is a divine gift and that the individual chosen by God will succeed Engr. Abdullahi A Sule.

Regarding his political aspirations, Balarabe Abdullahi stated that politics has been his lifelong profession and he will continue to serve in this field, seeking any position that his people deem necessary for him to contest and serve, which will be his responsibility and direction to pursue when the time arises.

Also speaking, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman of Toto Local Government, Alhaji Shuaibu Ahmed, the Secretary of Toto LGC, Honourable Muhammed Baba Yahaya, and Honourable Salihu Kasim Hasheem, the Chief Administrator of Umaisha Area Administrative Council, each stated in their separate speeches that their visit was to show solidarity with Balarabe Abdullahi as their political leader.

They aimed to discuss unity within the party, address emerging political developments in the state, and seek clear direction moving forward.

They also described the meeting as fruitful.