2027: Group dismisses imposition claims, cautions against ethnic tensions in Nasarawa
2027: Group dismisses imposition claims, cautions against ethnic tensions in Nasarawa
A group under the aegis of Concerned Nasarawa State Ethnic Youths, has dismissed allegations of imposition of governorship aspirant, describing such claims as misleading and capable of inciting division.
The group, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Mr Ibrahim Maiyanga, on Sunday in Lafia, said Gov. Abdullahi Sule had not imposed any governorship aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections.
This is in reaction to a recent press conference by the Forum of Youth Presidents of Ethnic Nationalities in Nasarawa State, where it appealed to Gov. Abdullahi Sule to rescind his preference of Sen. Ahmed Wadada as his successor, amongst other issues.
Maiyanga explained that the governor only expressed a personal preference for Wadada, which he noted was within his constitutional rights in a democratic system.
He added that the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in the state would be free, fair and transparent, stressing that no aspirant had been prevented from contesting.
The group also noted that zoning, which informed Sule’s preference, remained a widely adopted political arrangement aimed at promoting fairness, equity and inclusiveness among different regions.
According to the group, dismissing zoning undermines the legitimate aspirations of various zones in the state, including Nasarawa West, where Wadada come from.
On the issue of indigeneity, the group cautioned against what it described as vague and divisive narratives.
It said all ethnic groups in the state, including Eggon, Alago, Gwandara, Mada, Migili, Tiv, Hausa and Fulani, were indigenous to different parts of Nasarawa and should not be pitted against one another.
The group warned against the politicisation of ethnicity, noting that such actions could threaten the unity and peaceful coexistence of the people.
“We reject in strong terms any attempt to weaponize ethnicity for political gain,” it said.
It also condemned alleged threats by the group to mobilise against “non indigenous” aspirants, describing such statements as unacceptable and suggestive of political intimidation.
“We call on the forum to immediately stand down its rhetoric of ethnic mobilisation and withdraw every inflammatory statement.
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“No group has the right to threaten or preempt the outcome of a democratic process,” it said.
The group reaffirmed its loyalty to Nasarawa State and the APC, commending the leadership of Sule and his predecessor, Sen. Tanko Al-Makura.
The group also called on political actors, including aspirants, party leaders and stakeholders, to avoid actions capable of overheating the polity.
It urged all groups to allow due democratic processes to take their course and for members to freely decide outcomes at party primaries.
The group emphasised the need for all actors to prioritise peace, unity and development over political ambition, noting that elections were temporary but the stability of the state must be sustained.
