CONFUSING SIGNALS FROM NASARAWA

The rivalry between  Abdullahi Sule and Al-Makura bodes ill for the APC, argues 

 Kabiru Dan Mallam 

The unfolding political rivalry in Nasarawa State between former governor Tanko Al-Makura and incumbent Abdullahi Sule is no longer just a local power tussle—it is fast becoming a liability for the broader fortunes of the APC, particularly the electoral strength of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the state.

Sen Almakura’s quest to jettison the zoning formula that promotes peaceful coexistence is creating division among stakeholders. He has taken his divisive rhetoric a notch higher by mobilizing internal divisions and championing internal conflicts.

At the heart of the issue is a familiar but dangerous pattern: the inability of political heavyweights to reconcile legacy influence with present authority. Al-Makura, the former Governor of the State who lost election to the Senate, due to his dwindling popularity in Nasarawa politics, appears unwilling to accept reality and yield space to Sule, who now commands the machinery of government and the loyalty that comes with incumbency. This tension, while not unusual, is being managed in ways that risk fragmenting the party’s base.

One of Al-Makura’s most consequential missteps is the sustained projection of parallel authority. Unlike other climes where incumbents upload their loyalists, Sule allowed his predecessor’s appointees to continue in office for continuity and peaceful transition. While this may appear his albatross, these appointees, buoyed by his sincerity of purpose, have since shifted their loyalty to the Governor. Al-makura deludes himself with maintaining grip on party structures to no avail. He is inadvertently aligning with alternative blocs, to fuel the perception of a divided house. He has continued to mislead aspirants as the Lord of the manor. Such misguided signals create confusion about leadership and direction—conditions that often suppress voter enthusiasm.

Equally damaging is the timing of these manoeuvres. With national political calculations already tilting toward consolidation ahead of future elections, internal discord at the state level sends the wrong message. Instead of reinforcing the APC’s dominance in Nasarawa, the ongoing rivalry risks opening cracks that opposition forces can exploit.

There is also the question of electoral consequences. Nasarawa has been a reliable contributor to Tinubu’s vote bank, but that stability depends heavily on unity among party leaders. When influential figures are perceived to be at odds with the Governor, the ripple effect can extend to ward and local government levels, where elections are often decided. Disillusioned party members may disengage, defect, or quietly resist mobilization efforts.

Moreover, the optics of elite conflict undermine the narrative of cohesive governance. Voters are less concerned with former this and that, than with tangible outcomes. Prolonged infighting risks portraying the APC as inward-looking at a time when public expectations are high.

These further diminishes Al-Makura’s perceived political stature and his contributions to the state. However, in the current context, his approach appears increasingly counterproductive. Power, in politics, is not only about retention but also about timing, restraint, and strategic alignment.

If this trajectory continues, the real casualty may be  President Bola Tinubu’ and the APC’s electoral strength in this critical North central State of Nassarawa.

Unity, not rivalry, remains the party’s most valuable political currency.

As the Chairman of the APC North Central Forum , Gov Abdullahi Sule remains the constant decimal to coordinate and deliver Nassarawa State, and the North Central zone