A year into the second term of Governor Abdullahi Alhaji Sule, of Nasarawa State, those eyeing the coveted seat have started making consultations, while some are working under ground to accomplish their desires.

They are also busy mapping out strategies, holding late night meetings and putting structures on ground towards realising their ambitions in 2027.

But the bone of contention hovering around the politics of the state is the issue of zoning that has been in practice since 1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy, where Nasarawa West Senatorial District (Keffi Zone), produced the first democratically elected governor, His Excellency, Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Turakin Keffi), under PDP.

Followed by Nasarawa South Senatorial District (Lafia Zone), which produced His Excellency, late Aliyu Akwe Doma (Garkuwan Doma), who took over from Abdullahi Adamu, in 2007 under PDP. He spent only one term of 4 years.

In a swift turn of event, His Excellency, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who also hailed from Lafia zone, contested under CPC and he won the seat against Aliyu Akwe Doma, in 2011, where he spent 8 years, between 2011 to 2019.

With that development, Lafia zone spent 12 years in power as against the previous 8 years done by Keffi zone.

Al-Makura, handed over power to the incumbent Governor, Engineer Sule, who hails from Nasarawa North Senatorial District (Akwanga Zone), who will be ending his second tenure as governor in May, 2027.

Currently, there are fierce debates by the opposition party in the state, PDP, who are saying the current zoning arrangement is that of the ruling party, APC, so they will maintain the governorship slot for Akwanga zone in 2027.

Another argument put forward by the people of Akwanga zone is that the governorship slot started from Keffi zone in 1999, to Lafia zone in 2007, while they took the last shot in 2019, now it is their turn to start all over.

Political pundits observed that the zoning arrangement if not properly managed will polarised the political calculations of the state comes 2027.

Since 1999, what is obtainable is that the three senatorial zones had been contesting against each other during elections, but the pendulum always swings to the direction of government.

Just like the zoning arrangement, another major factor that has been playing and will still play in 2027, is religion and tribal politics that has eaten deeper into the political fabrics of the state.

Perhaps, that’s why the voting pattern has taken religious and tribal dimensions since 2019, but then only time will tell how the voting process is going to be in 2027.

Another factor that will shape the governorship of Nasarawa State come 2027 are the king makers. These power brokers have ruled the state in different capacities, they have electoral value so when the chips are down, they will go back to the drawing board to decide who is the next governor of the state.

Some of the major ones at the moment are the two former governors, Senators Abdullahi Adamu and Umaru Tanko Al-Makura. There are also four former deputy governors who commands large followership namely, Senator Solomon Ewuga, Prof. Onje Gyewado, Hon Labaran Maku and Chief Mike Abdul.

The new guy on the block of the king makers is the incumbent Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, who is bracing up to produce a successor in 2027.

Traditional rulers in the state at times work under ground to decide who becomes the governor of the state, as such 2027 cannot be exceptional.

At the last count, over 25 aspirants from different political parties across the the three Senatorial Zones, have indicated interest in the seat with the ruling APC having the highest number of the contestants followed by the major opposition party, PDP.

Of course, there is the possibility of others joining the race as political activities towards 2027 election unfolds. These aspirants could be categorized into contenders and pretenders, but only time will tell.

Below are the names of those eyeing the governorship seat comes 2027 from the three zones of the state namely Lafia Zone, Akwanga Zone and Keffi Zone.

From Nasarawa South Senatorial District (Lafia Zone), we have over ten aspirants namely; Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo (Turakin Doma) Senator Suleiman Adokwe (Wakilin Agwatashi), Senator Salihu Hussaini Egyegbola (Talban Agwatashi) Barrister Mustapha Galadima (Dan Makoyo/Obeku ghi Idoma) and Dr Joseph Kigbu.

Others are Hon. Abubakar Nalaraba (Sadaukin Lafia), Alhaji Abu Giza (Ciroman Giza), Alhaji Jibrin Sabo Keana-JSK (Wakilin Keana), AIG Abdul Yari Lafia, Barrister Hassan Liman-SAN, Dr Fatima Abdullahi Doma, Alhaji Dauda S. Kigbu-Mni (Rtd Fed Perm Sec) and the NNPP candidate in 2023, Alhaji Abdullahi Maidoya.

Nasarawa North Senatorial District (Akwanga Zone), we have the two times candidate of PDP, Dr David Ombugadu (Majen Eggon) Barr Halilu Danladi Envulanza (Makaman Eggon), former NJC secretary, General Nuhu Angazo- Rtd, Hon Labaran Maku, Hon Silas Ali Agara, Senator Yusuf Musa Nagogo, Mr Mathew Umbugaku, one time APGA candidate and others.

From Nasarawa West Senatorial District (Keffi Zone), we have former and present accountant generals of the state, Mr Yakubu Ledkwi Zakka and Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Musa (Baraden Nasarawa), Prof M.I Haruna, Dr Faisal Shuaibu, imidiate past Secretary of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NHCDA) and Barrister Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi, former Minister of Environment.

Others are Hon Gaza Ggbwefi, Barr. Tanimu Adabson, Architect Ibrahim Mohammed Ja’afar, Prof Abdulkarim Kana, Hon. Samuel Egya, Alhaji Musa Muhammed Maikaya (Ciroma Toto), Barr. Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, Chief Phillip Dada (Ajiyan Karu) and the bigger name in the race, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Sarkin Yakin Keffi), currently serving as the Senator repressing Nasarawa West at the NASS.

All of the above mentioned big names are potential candidates and politicians in their own rights, who held or are still holding one position or the other and they are over qualified to be the governor of Nasarawa State, but only time will tell comes 2027.

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