Senator Aliyu Wadada, the governorship candidate reportedly backed by Governor Abdullahi Sule for the Nasarawa State election, has visited former governor Tanko Al-Makura to seek his support just hours after Al-Makura criticised the process that produced him.
Al-Makura had earlier faulted Sule for not consulting him before endorsing Wadada and for presenting the candidate to the President prematurely.
In a video posted on the X handle of @NigAffairs, Wadada struck a conciliatory tone during the visit, praising the former governor’s leadership and appealing for unity.
“All the people that are here, and the ones that are not here, they thank you, they thank you for your patience,” Wadada said. “I mentioned patience three times; you and I know what I mean.”
He continued by acknowledging Al-Makura’s role in the state’s development: “After being grateful for your patience, we want to thank you for your leadership. You led this state and have laid a foundation. There’s no gainsaying that the foundation you laid was laid for me.”
Al-Makura, who had earlier opposed Wadada’s nomination, reportedly laughed at that point, drawing laughter and applause from those present.
Wadada also stressed the importance of protecting lives in the state, switching briefly to Hausa to underline his message: “Your Excellency, all of us here are saddled with the responsibility of protecting the lives of those in Nasarawa; you have that responsibility more than us.”
He explained that the former governor bears greater responsibility, having been among those consulted during the creation of Nasarawa State.
The senator appealed to Al-Makura to remain patient and maintain open communication with him, as he also prayed for the former governor’s good health and for lasting peace in the state.
Recall that Tanko Al-Makura has frowned at the nomination of Wadada, insisting that he was not consulted on the matter.
