By Johnson Umishi
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has prevailed on his supporters not to distract him by embarking on early political campaigns ahead of 2027 but to allow him to focus on his present mandate.
Governor Sule made the call when he hosted a delegation of traditional rulers and stakeholders from Akwanga Local Government Area led by the Chun Mada, HRH Pastor Samson Gamu Yare at the Government House on Thursday.
The Governor particularly called on those already campaigning for him to join the race for the Nasarawa North senatorial district to desist henceforth as he focuses on delivering on his mandate given to him by the entire people of the state.
He distanced himself from any political campaigns linking to any senatorial ambition come 2027.
“I have been focusing my attention that by the grace of God, the next two years will be the best years ever for our administration. We are doing our best to do that. But you know we can’t do that if we are distracted by campaigns. If you see anybody campaigning for A. A Sule as a senator, the person is doing it on his own. I have not told anybody that I am interested in going for Senate,” he said.
He emphasized that he is presently focusing his attention on the two years that is remaining for his administration and to focus on the work in his hands.
“My attention is on my two years. I’m trying to spend more time on these two years. Anybody campaigning for something they are doing it on their own. If that is the case, I can not join these earlier campaigns even if I am interested in something like that.
“I am pleading with those who are doing that to focus more on the work that we are doing and to help me by allowing me also to focus on what I am doing. Because what I am doing is more important than all these early campaigns,” he stated.
Governor Sule used the opportunity to also called on especially elected officials from Nasarawa North to also focus on their various mandates and to deliver, instead of embarking on early campaigns.
He pointed out that if these officials are able to deliver on their mandates, there won’t be need for a prolonged canpaign as the people would ensure they are returned at the end of their tenure.
The Governor said he is doing everything possible to project the zone as a zone that has the capacity to produce leaders who have fear of God, people who also have good intentions, people who also love the state and who are doing their best for the state, not just for themselves.
“Always, what I say about anyone giving the opportunity of leadership from our zone is that it is not just for you. It is for the whole zone. Because when you do well, it’s the zone that looks good. If you do not do well, it is the zone that looks bad,” he said.
He reiterated that the two years ahead of him will be the most productive for his administration, moreso with the signing into law the 2025 budget pegged at over N384bn, which is so far, the largest in the history of the state.
“One statement that I had made over and I will continue to make it is if you look at our budget, year 2025. We came into government from 2019-2023. The total budget of these four years is equivalent to the budget of this single year. That means it will require a lot of effort to drive this budget, to implement it, to work on it, and to ensure that it succeeds.
“Most of the time, budgets in Nasarawa State, before I came, performance of budget have been anywhere between 50 to maybe 65 percent. That has been the performance of the budget in Nasarawa State. Last year, our budget performance wanted to go beyond 100 percent. That’s why we had to pass a supplementary budget. That is why this year you have seen us taking the budget where it is. We are hoping that we will all come together and be more focused in the direction we have chosen,” he stated.
On the emerging security challenges along the ongoing Akwanga bypass linking the Akwanga-Abuja road with the Akwanga-Jos road, the Governor said it is expected that wherever there are development there is bound to be challenges.
While commending the Akwanga Local Government Chairman and Chairman of ALGON, Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha for intervening by providing some logistic support to the vigilante, he assured that steps will be taken to address the matter.
In his opening remarks, the Chun Mada, HRH Pastor Samson Gamu Yare, said the entire zone is proud of Governor Sule as a result of his exemplary leadership and for embarking on far-reaching development initiatives that is unprecedented in the history of the state.
The royal father described Governor Sule as one of the best in the history of the state, particularly with visible projects spread across not only Akwanga Local Government Area but the entire state.
“You recently dropped your commissioners. Our prayers is that for the remain time you are in office, you will constitute a formidable team that would support you in order for you to complete all your projects successfully. We are here to reaffirm our total support and unflinching loyalty,” he said.
The Chun Mada however raised concerns over emerging security threats particularly along the ongoing stretch of the Akwanga bypass, urging the Governor to support the army operating in the area with a vehicle.
He used the opportunity to commend the chairman of the local government area, Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha for purchasing a Sharon vehicle and three motorcycles for the vigilante towards boosting security in the area.
