Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has appealed to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stay united as the 2027 elections approach, while commending the sponsor of a local tennis championship held in honour of the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Ahmed Wadada-Aliyu, for displaying commendable political maturity.
Governor Sule, while speaking at the Lafia Project Quarters Tennis Court, described the sponsor, Dr Musa Ahmed-Mohammed, the state Accountant-General and Baraden Nasarawa, as a leader who had demonstrated sportsmanship by accepting the outcome of the party’s guber primary and continuing to support Wadada.
His words, “He participated in an election, accepted the decision taken and continued to sponsor events in support of the candidate. This is almost unimaginable in the kind of political environment we have.”
He urged APC supporters, particularly those backing Wadada in Lafia, to remain patient and focused, warning against distractions arising from political disagreements and insults.
He, however, clarified that patience should not prevent anyone from seeking lawful redress when necessary.
Governor Sule explained that the party had continued to receive expressions of support from individuals and groups across the state, urging members to concentrate on their political activities and avoid being distracted by controversies.
He congratulated Wadada on the honour, noting that the championship reflected recognition of his contributions beyond his position as the party’s governorship candidate.
The Governor also enjoyed the senator to support tennis development in the state, particularly the growth of young players who participate in competitions in Lagos, Abuja and other locations, with some preparing to represent Nasarawa outside the country.
“We have so many young stars coming up. Some of them participate in tournaments in Lagos, Abuja and other places, while some are preparing to represent Nasarawa State outside the country. I encourage them to continue to put in their best,” Sule added.
The governor, a regular tennis player, commended his opponent after their match and donated N5 million to the organisers for distribution among winners and other participants across the competition’s various categories.
Earlier, Senator Wadada described sports as a vehicle for unity, political consolidation, celebration and social interaction, commending Sule for his leadership and contributions to the development of the state.
He said the governor’s decision to contest the Nasarawa North senatorial seat would provide an opportunity for him to contribute further to the development of the district, the state and the country.
Wadada also commended the Baraden Nasarawa for organising the championship in his honour, saying the gesture demonstrated the sponsor’s commitment to the political direction adopted by the party’s leadership.
Mohammed said the competition, which began on September 12, was organised to promote tennis and bring players and enthusiasts together. He thanked the Lafia Tennis Club, the Nigeria Association of Sports Writers, Maya Tennis Club and other stakeholders for their contributions to the tournament.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Governor Sule administration and initiatives aimed at promoting development in the state.
Deputy Governor Dr. Emmanuel Akabe commended the Baraden Nasarawa for sponsoring the championship, describing it as an opportunity for members of the sporting community to celebrate Wadada and promote tennis development.
Akabe noted the shared interest of Governor Sule and Senator Wadada in sports and expressed hope that the competition would encourage greater investment in sporting activities and create opportunities for young talents to develop.
The event featured matches across different categories, with players, political leaders and members of the sporting community in attendance.
What You Should Know
Governor Abdullahi Sule’s recent call for unity highlights ongoing efforts to resolve internal party frictions and solidify the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle.
- Positive Impact: Fostering internal peace and sportsmanship among political rivals helps reduce tension, promotes grassroots development through initiatives like sports sponsorships, and creates a more stable environment for citizens.
- Potential Concerns: Deep-seated factional disagreements, if left unaddressed, could still pose distraction risks and impact party cohesion despite outward reconciliation efforts.
