By Danjuma Sarki
As the countdown to the 2027 governorship election in Nasarawa State begins, political conversations are intensifying, and so are the subtle attempts to shape the outcome long before the people have their say. At the center of this growing debate is the renewed push for zoning and the imposition of a “consensus candidate” within the APC.
While these ideas are often presented as pathways to unity, they carry dangerous implications that could undermine both democracy and the party’s electoral chances.
In a recent engagement, Abubakar Nalabara, a serving member of the House of Representatives and governorship aspirant, made a striking and deeply reflective statement: God is the ultimate zoner of power. According to him, those championing zoning arrangements are often driven by selfish interests, forgetting that leadership is ultimately determined by divine will and affirmed by the people.
This perspective challenges a long-standing political practice. It raises an important question: who truly has the authority to decide where power should go; political actors or the people under God?
Zoning is simply a distortion of democratic choice. Zoning, though often justified as a fairness mechanism, has increasingly become a political shortcut, one that sacrifices merit and competence on the altar of convenience.
Rather than allowing the most capable candidate to emerge through a transparent process, zoning imposes artificial restrictions that limit voters’ choices.
In reality, zoning tends to benefit a select group of power brokers rather than the ordinary citizen. It prioritizes entitlement over performance and geography over leadership capacity. In a state like Nasarawa, blessed with a wide array of competent, experienced, and grassroots-oriented aspirants, such limitations are not only unnecessary, they are unjust.
More importantly, zoning sends a troubling message: that the voice of the people can be pre-arranged, negotiated, and ultimately ignored.
Closely linked to zoning is the concept of a “consensus candidate.” On the surface, it suggests harmony and agreement. But beneath that surface lies a more troubling reality, consensus often means selection without genuine participation.
Consensus candidates rarely emerge from open competition. Instead, they are products of elite bargaining, designed to serve internal interests rather than reflect popular demand. This approach risks alienating party members, discouraging voter enthusiasm, and creating fractures within the party structure.
For the APC in Nasarawa State, adopting such a model ahead of a crucial election could be a costly mistake.
The 2027 governorship race is not one that requires manipulation, it demands openness. The field is already rich with aspirants who possess the experience, credibility, and grassroots connection needed to lead the state effectively.
Among them is former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, whose growing acceptance across different segments of the state highlights the power of direct engagement with the people. His rising momentum is a testament to what happens when leadership selection is left to the people rather than predetermined arrangements.
Nasarawa is not lacking in capable leaders; it is only at risk of denying itself the opportunity to choose freely.
If the APC chooses the path of zoning or imposes a consensus candidate, it risks more than internal dissatisfaction, it risks outright electoral defeat. In a political environment that is increasingly aware and participatory, voters are less willing to accept imposed decisions.
Such a move could weaken party unity, reduce grassroots mobilization, and create openings for opposition parties to capitalize on internal discontent. Beyond the governorship race, this could also have ripple effects on the party’s performance in the 2027 presidential election within the state.
Simply put, bypassing the people is a gamble the APC cannot afford to take.
Let God decide, let the people choose their leaders .The message is clear and compelling: power is not a product of political arrangements alone. As emphasized by Abubakar Nalabara, it is God who ultimately grants leadership, and the people who validate it through their votes.
Any attempt to “zone” power or impose candidates is, in essence, an attempt to override both divine will and democratic principle.
Nasarawa stands at a critical crossroads. The APC must decide whether to embrace true internal democracy or risk undermining its own future through exclusionary tactics.
The path forward is simple but powerful: allow a free, fair, and open contest. Let aspirants test their strength. Let the people decide. And above all, recognize that God remains the ultimate zoner of power.
Danjuma Sarki writes from Lafia, Nasarawa state.
