A former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has formally joined the Nasarawa State governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), vowing to contest and win the party’s primary election despite moves to adopt a consensus candidate.
Adamu’s entry into the race comes ahead of the APC governorship primary scheduled for May 21, 2026, and amid reports that key party figures are backing Senator Ahmed Wadada, who is widely seen as the preferred successor of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Addressing journalists in Lafia on Tuesday, the Director General of the Mohammed Abubakar Adamu 2027 Political Movement, Musa Hussein, said the former police chief had already obtained his expression of interest and nomination forms, signaling his readiness for the contest.
“We are not considering the issue of consensus because we are in this race to win,” Hussein said. “My principal has purchased the nomination forms and is fully prepared to participate in a free, fair and credible primary election.”
He expressed confidence in Adamu’s chances, insisting that the former IGP enjoys widespread support across the state and would emerge victorious both at the primary and in the 2027 governorship election.
Hussein, however, took a swipe at the reported endorsement of Wadada by Governor Sule, describing the move as unconstitutional and a threat to internal party democracy.
According to him, the APC constitution only recognises two legitimate pathways for the emergence of candidates, direct primaries or consensus, adding that there is no provision for the imposition of any aspirant.
“A governorship primary is a democratic contest, not a coronation,” he said.
“Every aspirant deserves a level playing field. The use of state influence to favour one individual undermines party unity and erodes public confidence.”
He also raised concerns over alleged intimidation of party officials and public office holders, claiming that some were being pressured to support a particular aspirant.
“It is unacceptable for elected officials and party leaders to be coerced under threats. They are representatives of the people, not instruments of political manipulation,” Hussein stated.
The campaign team further dismissed claims of any national endorsement for a governorship aspirant in the state, urging party members to disregard such assertions.
Hussein called on the APC national leadership to intervene, review the situation, and ensure that due process is followed in selecting the party’s candidate.
“The only legitimate process remains the direct primary election scheduled for May 21, 2026. It must be transparent and free from interference,” he said.
The development sets the stage for a potentially keenly contested APC primary in Nasarawa State, as party stakeholders continue to debate the best approach for selecting a candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
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