A former Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and 2027 Governorship aspirant in Nasarawa State, Engr. Prof Mohammed Sani Haruna on Saturday said there is no consensus on Sen. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada in the All Progressives Congress in the state.
He said the governorship contest was still open.
He said he will participate in the APC Governorship Primary Election in the state despite Governor Abdullahi Sule’s support for Wadada.
He said the governor has done so much for the development of the state and he needs an experienced candidate to take over from him.
He spoke on Saturday at his campaign office in Keffi during a consultation meeting by the Committee on Contact and Mobilisation of his campaign team with the various leaders of the support groups to take a decision on the recent political development in the state.
Sule had on the 16th of April 2026 announced Wadada as his preferred choice for the APC governorship ticket in Nasarawa State.
He urged his supporters and all government appointees to mobilise votes for Wadada to emerge victorious in the primaries.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has contributed a lot to what he achieved in NASENI and his success story won’t be complete without mentioning him
“When he was not the president and we ran into hitches, for over 34 years after establishment of NASENI, the statutory funding was not realized and we developed a template, we achieved progress in commencement of assignments and collection of the NASENI industrial Levy as one of the statutory funds
“A new chairman of federal Inland Revenue, Tunde Fowler was appointed and he refused to allow us access to funds. We went to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he was not even contesting in his house in Lagos, and on his instructions, the Chairman listened to us and the industrial Levy was commenced
“So, if you are celebrating our achievements in NASENI, please remember the contribution of President Tinubu” he said
The University don said APC Governorship Aspirants Forum in Nasarawa West Senatorial District, has agreed and assured the governor that whoever he picks from the forum, it will support.
He said little did he know that the governor will go for an aspirant who is not qualified based on the standards set by the governor.
He said before the announcement of the choice of Wadada, Sule had spoken in different fora on the criteria of the person he wants as his successor.
He said Wadada does not fit into any of the qualities the governor mentioned
“The governor has spoken in many fora describing the attitudes of the person that will be suitable as candidate to succeed him. At the end of the day, he selected somebody that is disqualified already.
“In all the descriptions of His Excellency, he spoke of the qualities of the person he wishes will succeed him. But he picked someone who is disqualified,” he said .
He said his records of performance are spread across Nasarawa State, particularly the western Senatorial zone where he comes from, adding that he has all it takes to be governor of the state and he is contesting based on his records and competence.
He said he started supporting APC in Nasarawa State when it was Congress For Progressive Change by sponsoring many House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate candidates in addition to donating offices and communication gadgets across the state.
He therefore accepted the decision of his supporters not to step down for Senator Wadada but to go ahead and contest the primaries.
He said: He said: “When the government announced its decision, the aspirants in this forum agreed that we will consult our supporters and critical stakeholders and then take a unanimous decision. That is the reason why you did not hear from me.
“Your verdict has determined our next line of action and I hereby accept to contest the primaries and we will be having our rally on Wednesday”.
Defending his right to contest, and citing his role in the formation and growth of the ruling party, he said, “I provided financial support to the Congress for Progressive Change and the establishment of the party. Some chairmen and officials are alive to attest to how we supported the establishment of party offices across local governments.
“I started my APC from the national. If this forum succeeds, even if I am not the governor, I should celebrate it because it is my initiative,” he said.
He also referenced the ongoing succession debate, arguing that earlier expectations around a preferred successor had not been met.
“We gave a blanket cheque that the governor could select anyone among those that would have our support based on certain expectation, but the situation has changed,” he said.
Haruna said his decision to consult stakeholders was also informed by their contributions to his political structure.
“We are not disobedient to constitutional authority. We are in the party and we are working for its success. If the primaries are free, fair and transparent, we will accept whatever Allah has decided as the verdict,” he said.
The stakeholders were emphatic urging him to proceed to the primaries, citing zoning equity and his record in public service.
Suleiman Amgbashi, who spoke for Nasarawa Senatorial North (Akwanga) said support for Haruna was tied to the need for micro-zoning within Nasarawa West.
The aspirant also addressed the issue of the governor’s preferred candidate, noting that while the government had indicated a direction, the process should allow broader participation.b
“The government has spoken in many fora, describing the character and attitude of the person that will succeed. At the end of the day, when he selected somebody, the person was disqualified early based on those expectations’,” he said.
He also dismissed claims questioning his political resolve, saying, “Some people spread all sorts of rumours. Some said I have no faith. No, I am demonstrating my faith by doing the right thing. The essence of this meeting is to hear from you’,” he said.
Haruna’s position followed the verdict of stakeholders from the three senatorial zones, who endorsed his participation in the primaries, citing his capacity.
“I hereby declared that I have accepted your decision and will go ahead to purchase the governorship nomination form, to be screened and qualified to contest the primaries”
He urged his supporters to keep their membership cards safe and come out in their numbers to queue behind him to clinch the governorship ticket of the party.
Those who spoke at the meeting were the campaign zonal coordinators of Nasarawa West , Pastor Benjamin Baka, that of Nasarawa South, Barr. Ibrahim Adekaa who told the representatives of the various campaign groups to go back and mobilise support for Haruna to win the primary election.
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