By Ali Abare, Lafia.

In Nasarawa State politics today, one name keeps coming up in conversations about 2027: Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada. From the wards to the local governments, and across the three senatorial zones to the state capital, the narrative is the same. Wadada is the man to beat.

Senator Wadada did not arrive on the political scene by chance. He worked his way up. After serving two terms in the House of Representatives, he moved to the Senate, building strong political ties along the way — from the village square to the highest offices in Abuja. His rise reflects years of steady service, not luck.

Some critics argue that Wadada is being “pushed” on the people of Nasarawa State, and that he is riding solely on endorsements. That assessment is unfair. His popularity was not bought. It was built over many years by staying close to the people. 

His strength does not come from money. It comes from his bond with ordinary citizens of Nasarawa — a bond forged through service, not handouts.

Wadada has never needed to buy loyalty. His life has consistently shown devotion to public service. 

Through the Wadada Educational Foundation, he has helped hundreds of young people access education by providing scholarships and support to students who would otherwise have no hope of continuing their studies. This work did not begin with his governorship ambition. It has long been part of who he is.

Those who know him say he shows up at weddings, naming ceremonies, and burials, he stands with the people in good times and in bad. He reaches out to the less privileged not because cameras are watching, but because that is who he is. 

This consistent presence has shaped public perception of him as a compassionate man, an optimist, and someone many Nasarawa residents have learned to lean on.

It is therefore wrong to say a man with this record needs to be imposed on anyone. While the backing of Governor Abdullahi Sule is significant, Wadada does not rely on it alone. On the strength of more than 20 years in public service, he can stand firm against any political storm on the road to 2027.

His political structure is also expanding. Across all 13 local government areas, more grassroots groups are forming to support him. 

The London Boy Movement, a support group with members across the state, recently renewed its pledge to mobilize for his cause. 

Similarly, the G12 Forum, comprising Special Assistants and Personal Assistants to Governor Sule from Keffi LGA, has launched a women’s wing with a target of reaching 5,000 women in that local government alone. 

These are not scattered efforts. They reflect a growing wave of support that cuts across gender, age, and community lines.

Traditional institutions and ethnic groups are also lining up behind him. The Migili Nation, for example, has publicly endorsed Wadada’s governorship bid, describing their support as a call to greater service. Such open declarations are not easily earned in politics. They come from years of closeness, trust, and consistent presence — qualities Wadada has demonstrated repeatedly.

Wadada’s idea of leadership further sets him apart. He maintains that true leadership is not just about power, but about love, unity, and bringing people together around a shared goal.

This was evident after the keenly contested APC primaries, when he convened a reconciliation meeting with his fellow aspirants from Nasarawa West. He sued for peace and promised leadership that carries everyone along. 

In a political climate where aggrieved aspirants often become stumbling blocks, Wadada’s choice to build bridges instead of burning them offers a glimpse of the kind of governor he intends to be.

As the countdown to 2027 continues, Senator Wadada remains in the trenches — meeting the people, strengthening his structures, and building on the wide political network he has cultivated over the years. He is not a candidate made for the moment. He is the product of many years of patient, honest, and selfless work among the people of Nasarawa State.

For those still asking who the candidate to beat is in the 2027 Nasarawa State governorship race, the answer is already evident across the state — in the wards, among women’s groups, within traditional institutions, and across party structures. 

That answer is Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.