2027: Gov. Sule Warns Against One-Man Show in Party Affairs, Insists on Zoning, Fairness as He Bids Farewell to APC Exco
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Monday bid a heartfelt farewell to the outgoing State Executive Committee (EXCO) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), using the valedictory session at the Government House in Lafia to warn against creating unnecessary tension through a “one-man show” in party affairs, while insisting on zoning, fairness, and consensus in the upcoming governorship primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking extensively during the meeting with the outgoing State Working Committee led by Chairman Dr. Aliyu Bello, Governor Sule lamented how some individuals in key government positions had attempted to sideline critical stakeholders during the just-concluded ward and local government congresses, describing such actions as detrimental to the party’s unity and progress.
“You don’t be a mad man by fighting people anyhow, you don’t change people anyhow, that is why I sent some people back to meet stakeholders and address the issue,” he said, adding that in some areas, powerful camps had submitted entire lists unilaterally, forcing reconciliations to avoid abandoning others.
He vowed that such “one-man gang” behavior would not be tolerated at the state congress level, emphasizing his commitment to playing by the rules as promised on several occasions, with his understanding of fairness guiding the emergence of the party’s flagbearer.
While revealing a preferred zone in mind, the governor stressed openness to divine will, stating, “I want to be fair, I want to be fair, I want to be fair based on my understanding of fairness. We will support a zone that I think it’s fair to support that zone. Anyone who does not like it is his own business. That is my position. But if God says it is not what you think, Sule, I am supporting so, so and so zone, I will say Alhamdulillah.”
The governor used the occasion to appreciate the EXCO members for their years of service, briefing them on the transition ahead with the state congress, where the same principles of consensus building, rotation of positions, and reconciliation applied at lower levels would hold sway.
He noted that those who had served eight years might need to move on, though they could remain relevant in other capacities if stakeholders agreed, appealing to all to accept outcomes in good faith since no position is hereditary.
“We have had successful ward and local government congresses, and I want to thank you, the party, for everything that you have done in order for us to get to where we are. I appreciate you, I commend you. Now, we are going into the state congress,” he added, reaffirming that he harbors no enmity towards any governorship aspirants and had balanced interests during recent congresses.
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“I don’t have any enemy amongst the aspirants. I keep telling you guys. It is people who are considering themselves my enemy. I don’t have a single enemy, especially among the aspirants. Every aspirant that is there, if God wants to give that aspirant power, that aspirant will become our own candidate. Once we have one of our aspirants as a candidate, as the Governor, I owe it upon myself to work for that candidate. That is the best that I can do. I want to finish and go without having any rancor here and there,” Governor Sule declared, underscoring his desire for a rancor-free exit.
In response, Dr. Aliyu Bello, on behalf of the 36 EXCO members, expressed profound gratitude for the governor’s humility and unprecedented support during their tenure, describing the journey as “sweet and fantastic.”
“Your Excellency, my own is to thank you on behalf of all of us. We are 36 in number. The journey with you was so sweet, fantastic. All of us appreciate what you have done for us. Except if you are an ingrate. From the time you came in, we didn’t know how much our allowance was; we know what we are collecting now, and we know the patronage we have been getting from you,” Bello said.
