Former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, who is an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, has said there will be no zoning arrangement for the Nasarawa State governorship seat ahead of the 2027 election.
He also stated that he remains the candidate to beat in the state.
Adamu hails from Nasarawa South, while the current governor, Abdullahi Sule, is believed to prefer that his successor comes from Nasarawa West.
According to him, there will be no consensus arrangement in selecting the APC governorship candidate in the state, insisting that direct primaries will give all aspirants a fair chance.
He said:
“The electorate will be allowed to pick their candidate, unlike in the indirect primaries system where delegates could be influenced against a candidate.”
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Adamu insisted that zoning has never existed in Nasarawa State since the return of democracy in 1999.
He added that neither the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), nor the APC has ever successfully applied zoning for the governorship position.
He explained that while Governor Abdullahi Sule may support a candidate from Nasarawa West, his own zone, Nasarawa South, also believes the position should remain open.
Adamu further said he does not expect political support from the governor, stressing that the people will decide the outcome of the 2027 election.
He noted that he has visited all 147 wards in the state and understands their challenges, urging unity and focus on developing Nasarawa State.
He also criticized the indirect primary system, saying it allows manipulation through delegates, but expressed satisfaction that direct primaries would prevent such practices.
Adamu warned that consensus arrangements would not work in the state since multiple aspirants oppose it, and promised to ensure a free and fair primary process.
He also expressed concern about the condition of the state capital, Lafia, saying it has not received enough development and still looks like a “glorified local government headquarters.”
