Nasarawa APC Lawmakers Endorse Consensus for Party Congresses, Pass Vote of Confidence on Leadership
Lawmakers from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly have thrown their weight behind the party’s strategic decision to adopt consensus arrangements for selecting executive members at all levels ahead of the upcoming congresses.
This unanimous declaration came at the end of their 9th Caucus meeting held on Tuesday at the State Assembly complex in Lafia, signaling a strong commitment to unity and internal harmony within the ruling party.
The move is seen as a proactive step to avert potential crises that often plague political gatherings in Nigeria’s dynamic party politics, especially in states like Nasarawa where factional tensions can undermine electoral fortunes. By aligning with the consensus model, the lawmakers are not only endorsing a smoother transition for party leadership but also reinforcing the APC’s dominance in the state ahead of future elections.
Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara, the Majority Leader of the House, who addressed journalists shortly after the closed-door session, emphasized that the decision was born out of a deliberate effort to foster peace among party faithful.
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“We have declared our support for the party’s arrangements on consensus regarding the upcoming congresses,” Azara stated confidently, underscoring the lawmakers’ resolve to back decisions reached by party leaders and stakeholders during a recent high-level meeting at the Government House.
This endorsement comes at a critical juncture as political parties across Nigeria gear up for congresses that will shape their structures and leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In Nasarawa, where the APC holds sway in the state assembly, such unity could prove pivotal in consolidating power and warding off opposition incursions from parties like the PDP.
The 9th Caucus meeting, hosted at the office of the Majority Leader within the Assembly complex, drew a robust attendance of APC lawmakers, including key figures such as the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dr. Danladi Jatau, and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Adamu Oyanki.
Other notable participants included principal officers and rank-and-file members, making it a comprehensive gathering that reflected the caucus’s broad representation.
The session, which lasted several hours, was marked by frank discussions on pressing party matters, with participants deliberating on strategies to sustain the APC’s momentum in Nasarawa State.
Sources close to the meeting revealed that the atmosphere was charged with optimism, as lawmakers exchanged views on how to navigate the complexities of internal democracy while prioritizing collective goals.
Azara, speaking with the poise of a seasoned politician, explained that the adoption of consensus was primarily aimed at reducing tension and averting crises that have historically disrupted party activities in similar settings.
“The consensus would reduce tension and crisis among party faithfuls, hence the need for our resolution in that direction,” he noted, highlighting the practical benefits of this approach in a polity often riddled with acrimonious primaries and litigations.
In Nasarawa, where Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration continues to champion progressive governance, the lawmakers’ position reinforces the synergy between the legislative arm and the executive.
Beyond the consensus endorsement, the caucus passed a resounding vote of confidence on the party leadership at all levels, from the state chapter to the national headquarters.
Hon. Azara expressed unreserved faith in the stewardship of these leaders, describing them as capable stewards steering the APC towards greater heights.
“We have confidence in our party leadership,” he affirmed, a statement that resonates deeply in a state where political loyalty is a currency of power.
This vote of confidence is more than symbolic; it serves as a public reassurance to grassroots members and stakeholders, potentially quelling any whispers of dissent and bolstering the leadership’s mandate to execute congress plans seamlessly.
The agenda of the 9th Caucus meeting extended far beyond immediate congress arrangements, delving into broader issues of unity, peace, and the party’s trajectory beyond 2027.
Lawmakers took time to brainstorm on the way forward, emphasizing the imperative of sustained collaboration for Nasarawa’s development under APC governance.
“We have discussed issues of unity, peace, and progress of the party. We are united and we are going to remain united, loyal to the party in the State,” Azara revealed
Such deliberations are commonplace in Nigerian legislatures, where party caucuses often double as think-tanks for long-term political survival.
In a direct nod to prior consultations, the lawmakers explicitly adopted the resolutions from the stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, framing it as the definitive path for the congresses.
“What our leaders and party stakeholders discussed and agreed in the last meeting in Government House over the upcoming congresses was the position we have adopted,” Azara clarified.
This adoption underscores the hierarchical nature of Nigerian party politics, where decisions from apex meetings cascade down to foot soldiers.
For the APC in Nasarawa, this means a unified front that could streamline executive selections at ward, local government, and state levels without the chaos of open contests.
Hon. Azara further assured that APC lawmakers remain committed to synergizing with party stakeholders and the government for electoral victories stretching beyond 2027.
“We have agreed with the party’s position on consensus in the interest of unity, peace, progress, and development of the party,” he reiterated, linking internal harmony to tangible state advancement.
This pledge of teamwork extends to legislative duties, where the House under Speaker Jatau has been lauded for passing pro-people bills on security, agriculture, and infrastructure, key pillars of Governor Sule’s agenda.
By extension, the caucus’s unity bolsters the assembly’s legislative output, positioning it as a reliable partner in Nasarawa’s growth story.
Looking ahead, the Majority Leader highlighted the lawmakers’ readiness to embrace collective efforts for the House’s progress and the state’s overall development.
“We will continue to work in unity and synergize with stakeholders and government for the progress of the State,” Azara promised
As the dust settles on the 9th Caucus meeting, the APC in Nasarawa appears more resolute than ever, with lawmakers setting a tone of discipline and foresight for the congresses.
This development could serve as a model for other states grappling with party primaries, potentially influencing the national discourse on internal democracy.
With endorsements secured and confidence reaffirmed, the party faithful now await the execution of these consensus arrangements, eyes fixed on a future where unity translates into sustained political relevance.