With the May 21, 2026 governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress drawing closer in Nasarawa State, former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has firmly dismissed moves to adopt a consensus candidate, making it clear he will participate fully in the race.
The position comes amid indications from Senator Ahmed Wadada, who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District, that party stakeholders were working towards presenting a consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election, where he is widely seen as Governor Abdullahi Sule’s preferred successor.
However, speaking on Tuesday in Lafia at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nasarawa State Council Secretariat, the Director General of the former IGP’s 2027 political movement, Musa Hussein, said Adamu remains committed to testing his popularity through the ballot.
He revealed that the former IGP had already taken a major step by obtaining his expression of interest and nomination forms in the early hours of Tuesday, signaling readiness for the contest despite the endorsement backing Wadada.
He said, “We are not considering the issue of consensus because we are in this contest to win the forthcoming governorship primary election of the APC and the 2027 governorship election.
“Just today, my principal, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms for the governorship election.
“The former IGP is ready to go into a free, fair, and credible primary election, and I can assure the entire residents of Nasarawa State that we will emerge victorious.”
Hussein also took aim at recent developments within the party, particularly the endorsement of a preferred aspirant by Governor Sule, describing the move as unconstitutional and a threat to internal democracy.
According to him, the APC constitution clearly outlines only two acceptable methods for selecting candidates—direct primaries or consensus—stressing that there is no room for unilateral imposition by individuals or party structures.
He further raised concerns over alleged pressure on ward executives and party officials, warning that any process influenced under such conditions would lack credibility and fail democratic standards.
Hussein said, “It is also important to clarify that no national endorsement has been granted for any governorship aspirant in Nasarawa State. Any attempt to associate such claims with a higher authority is misleading and should be disregarded.
“Equally troubling are reports of intimidation directed at public office holders, including local government officials, councillors, and aides, allegedly being coerced to support a particular aspirant under threat of removal. This is unacceptable. Public officials are representatives of the people, not instruments of political coercion.
“A governorship primary is a democratic contest, not a coronation. Every aspirant deserves a fair and level playing field. The use of state influence to favour one individual undermines party unity and erodes public confidence.”
He urged party officials across all levels to remain neutral, noting that premature endorsements or partisan alignment before the primaries amount to misconduct and would be strongly resisted.
Calling for intervention, Hussein appealed to the national leadership of the party to review the situation, nullify any unconstitutional actions, and ensure strict adherence to due process.
“Let it be clearly stated that the only legitimate process for selecting the party’s governorship candidate in Nasarawa State remains the direct primary election scheduled for 21st May 2026. This process must be transparent and free from interference,” he insisted.