By Samuel Moses
Reports are now indicating that Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State is allegedly threatening to sack local government chairmen, councillors, aides, and other officials who are not aligned with his hasty decision to announce a preferred candidate for governor.
In an attempt to sidestep established party procedures and undermine the core principles of internal democracy, cohesion, and collective decision-making within the Nasarawa All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Abdullahi Sule hastily, without broad consultation or consensus, announced his “preferred” candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
This move, widely perceived as premature and unilateral, has raised serious concerns among party stakeholders, political observers, and even members of his own administration.
What should have been a careful, strategic, and inclusive political process has instead been reduced to what many now view as an imposition. In a party system that thrives on consultation, negotiation, and grassroots inclusion, such a top-down declaration risks alienating key stakeholders, fracturing party unity, and weakening the APC’s overall electoral strength in Nasarawa State.
Unsurprisingly, this poorly calculated move has begun to backfire. Reports emerging from within government circles suggest a growing atmosphere of tension and unease. The governor is allegedly resorting to threats, warning aides and political appointees of possible dismissal if they fail to publicly align with or support his preferred candidate.
This approach not only deepens internal divisions but also creates a climate of fear rather than loyalty, which is dangerous for any democratic institution.
This is a democracy, not a dictatorship. While Governor Sule, like any political actor, has the right to support and promote a candidate of his choosing, that right does not extend to coercion, intimidation, or political blackmail.
Leadership in a democratic setting requires persuasion, consensus-building, and respect for dissent, not the imposition of will through threats.
The APC, as a political party, has clearly defined processes and procedures for the emergence of candidates. These include consultations, primaries, and stakeholder engagements designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and inclusiveness.
Similarly, the Nigerian Constitution provides a solid framework that guarantees political participation, freedom of choice, and the right of citizens and party members to determine their political preferences without undue influence.
Attempting to override these established mechanisms not only undermines the party’s credibility but also sets a dangerous precedent. If left unchecked, such actions could erode trust in democratic institutions and discourage active political participation among party members and the general public.
This is not an era where individuals can be compelled to do the bidding of others. Political maturity in today’s Nigeria demands respect for plurality of opinion and recognition of the people’s ultimate authority. The electorate, not a single individual, holds the decisive power in determining leadership.
Governor Sule’s hasty and arguably ill-advised action is now returning as a political liability. Instead of pausing to reflect, recalibrate, and acknowledge what many consider a significant misstep, he appears to be doubling down in a manner that increasingly portrays him as intolerant of opposition and dissent.
This perception is further reinforced by public commentary, including that of a television analyst who openly called on the governor to apologize to the people of Nasarawa State for his approach.
At this critical juncture, what is required is not further escalation, but humility, reflection, and a return to democratic norms. True leadership is not measured by the ability to impose decisions, but by the wisdom to listen, adapt, and unite people around a shared vision.
If the APC in Nasarawa is to remain strong and competitive ahead of 2027, it must prioritize unity, fairness, and respect for due process over individual ambitions.
Moses writes from Lafia, Nasarawa State.