Nasarawa: Abdullahi Holds the Ace
2007 in Nasarawa State portends the trappings of a tough political terrain. The incumbent Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, has an interest in who succeeds him and has already started showing traces and tendencies to muscle all to tow his line. The main voting population, the Eggon people followed by the Alago people are also saying that they would use their voting power to effect the changes as desired. There are four serious political personalities in the 2007 race. Each of the two major tribes is represented by two possible contenders. Funmi Peter- Omale reports
The succession battle in Nassarawa is not much about geo-political blocks within the states but necessairy about personalities where personalities like , Labaran Maku, Senator Emmanuel Okpede and Musa Elayo loom large.
Ewuga was deputy governor of the state for a few days in 1999 before the president made him the Minister of State for FCT. But he fell out with powers that be and he was removed in a cabinet reshuffle. Information has it that there was an unwritten agreement between Adamu and Ewuga in 2003 in respect of who succeeds him in 2007.
The astute business man is well and solidly on the ground and is currently the most popular candidate among the lot. He is also said to be very popular with the powers that be at the National echelon of the Peoples Democrtaic Party (PDP).
Ewuga, apparently, is very popular with the electorate and it was indeed with his support that Adamu was able to pull off his relection stunt. But with the rumour making the rounds about Maku being silently groomed by Adamu, the current scheming makes analysis difficult. However, one constant and certain fact is that Ewuga since the creation of the state has never hidden his ambition and desire to lead his state. Ewuga is an Eggon by tribe.
Just like Ewuga, Labaran Maku currently the Deputy Governor of the state, is also an Eggon man. According to speculations, if all things work out according to plans, he may succeed his boss. He was a practicing journalist with Champion Newspapers in Lagos before he was called upon in 1999 to come and serve his state. He was Commissioner of Information where he was adjudged to have carried out his duties effectively. His candidature as the Deputy Governor came to many as a surprise as he is generally regarded a "green horn". But that differs from the reckoning of Adamu who is said to be putting machinery in place for 2007.
However, unlike Maku who is considered to be lacking in political clout, Senator Okpede, representing Nasarawa South Senatorial district in the National Assembly, has been a force to reckon with in Nasarawa politics in recent times. He defeated former Deputy Senate President, Haruna Abubakar and is billed to wrestle Adamu for the soul of the state in 2007. According to information, it is only this National Assembly member that has been able to intimidate the governor for all his worth. His moves have been said to have effectively rattled the governor many times. Though he has not made any public pronouncement towards this end, his political associates are making all the moves on his behalf making it clear and loud that in 2007, this former Commissioner of Education would hold sway.
As for Mohammed Musa Elayo, currently a Special Assistant to the Presiedent and a former Minister of State for Justice, he is said to be in the good books of the Presidency and this may well work for him in the 2007 race if eventually he declares . Elayo was a House of Representatives member before his appointment as a Minister. Though nice and humble, he is not being considered a serious candidate for the highest position in the state. He is an Alago, from Doma local government of the state and a highly respected political leader in the state.
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