Gov Sule’s successor will come from Nasarawa West, says Chief Dada, former SSG
By Roseline Okafor, Nasarawa.
Chief Philip Dada is a former Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State. He has been actively involved in the state’s political landscape, at one point declaring his interest to run for governorship in 2019.
Chief Dada has also expressed views on the current administration in Nasarawa State, showing satisfaction with the governance under Governor Abdullahi Sule.
He holds the traditional title Ajiyan Karu and resides in New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
His political activities include commenting on emerging political dynamics, such as the optimism that the next governor of Nasarawa State will come from the Western Senatorial Zone.
The stakeholders were advocating for power rotation across the three senatorial zones for the benefit of all citizens.
“We believe it’s our turn to produce the next governor come 2027,” Dada said. “We cannot do it alone, but we have to lobby other stakeholders. In a democracy, you have to negotiate your way, plead, and appeal to get what you want.”
He emphasized that the rotational practice, which is a democratic and constitutional principle of federalism, supports the Western Senatorial Zone’s turn to produce the next governor.
Chief Philip Dada: Yes. I believe it is the turn of the Western Senatorial Zone to produce the next governor in 2027 ,all the three zones having/ are taken/ taking their turns.But I also hasten to emphasize that we can not do it alone. We must lobby, negotiate, plead, persuade, and garner broad based support from stakeholders across all zones to ensure shared vision for progress.
Dada, who served as Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transport during Governor Sule’s first term, cited the state’s history of zoning the governorship position.
“In 1999, the Nasarawa West produced the first civilian governor, Abdullahi Adamu, followed by Aliyu Akwe Doma from the Southern Zone and Tanko Al-Makura, who spent eight years in office. Now, it’s the turn of the Nasarawa West Senatorial District to produce the next governor.”
He called on aspirants from the Northern and Southern zones to withdraw their ambitions and join forces with Western Zone stakeholders in the interest of peace and unity.
Dada commended Senator Abdullahi Adamu for his leadership and wisdom in promoting unity among the people of Nasarawa State just as he also praised Governor Sule’s transformative initiatives in the state.
The stakeholders’ visit to Governor Sule was a starting point for their movement, aimed at soliciting his support for zoning the governorship position to the Western Senatorial District for overall development.
Chief Philip Dada believes that the Western Senatorial Zone should produce the next governor of Nasarawa State in 2027, citing the principle of zoning and rotation of power.
He emphasizes the importance of lobbying, negotiation, and broad-based support from stakeholders across all zones to ensure shared vision and progress.
Dada notes that the Western Zone has demonstrated unity and capacity in its push for the governorship, and that the current governor, Abdullahi Sule, has assured support for the zone’s ambition.
He argues that zoning aligns with the democratic and federalist spirit of Nigeria and Nasarawa State, and that it has helped maintain unity, peace, and balance among the zones in the past.
Dada advises aspirants from other zones to show sportsmanship and support the principle of zoning, and to work together to ensure a fair and peaceful process.
He highlights Governor Sule’s developmental projects and legacy initiatives, which have benefited many communities across the state, and notes that these projects demonstrate fairness and inclusivity.
Dada emphasizes the importance of accountability and good governance in sustaining support for zoning and the next administration, and recommends that the zoning principle be formally adopted as a power rotation policy in the state.
Chief Dada’s main message is that the Western Senatorial Zone deserves a chance to produce the next governor of Nasarawa State in 2027, based on the principle of zoning and rotation of power.
He emphasizes the importance of fairness, equity, and inclusivity in the state’s political arrangement, and notes that the Western Zone has demonstrated unity and capacity in its push for the governorship.
He also highlights the need for accountability and good governance in sustaining support for zoning and the next administration.
