Former IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu has stated that the governorship of Nasarawa State will not be subject to a zoning system in the run-up to the 2027 election.
As a contender for governor on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket, Adamu has also stated that he is still the one to defeat in the state.
Rumour has it that Abdullahi Sule, the current governor, is leaning toward having the next instalment of the IGP come from Nasarawa West, even though the outgoing IGP is from Nasarawa South.
When it comes to choosing a candidate for governor in the state, Adamu claims there would be no consensus. He said that candidates are given a fair chance in the direct primary.
“The electorate will be allowed to pick their candidate, unlike in the indirect primaries system where delegates could be influenced against a candidate,” he explained.
At a news conference in Abuja on Friday, Adamu restated that Nasarawa does not practise zoning and that the state has not done so since the resumption of democratic rule in 1999.
He continued by saying that zoning the governorship seat has never been successful under the PDP, the CPC, and the current APC.
Adamu stated that his zone, Nasarawa South, is arguing that it should be left open, even though the governor, in his wisdom, wants to back someone from Nasarawa West.
The electorate will decide who emerges in 2027, he said, adding that he does not anticipate any favouritism from the governor. He emphasised that he had visited each of the state’s 147 wards, heard their concerns, and urged them to unite and concentrate on Nasarawa State.
He continued by saying that indirect primaries was their go-to method of manipulation, and he was overjoyed that now nobody could kidnap his delegates and force them to vote a specific way.
Adamu assured that they will be watchful to ensure that the primaries are free and fair and added that consensus would never occur in Nasarawa State when several people have expressed their disapproval.
Adamu continued by bemoaning the condition of Lafia, the capital, saying that it has long been neglected and treats more like a glorified local government headquarters than a capital. He pointed out that former administrations failed to recognise Lafia for what it is: a glorified local government headquarters.