Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has publicly endorsed Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as the preferred successor to Governor Abdullahi Sule in the 2027 governorship election, signalling early realignments within the ruling party ahead of the primaries.
The endorsement was made on Wednesday during the opening of the Nasarawa Investment Summit 2026 in Lafia, where political leaders, investors, traditional rulers, and governorship aspirants gathered to discuss the state’s economic future.
Speaking at the event themed “Bold Transitions, Building a Legacy for a Sustainable Future,” Mr Shettima described Senator Wadada as the man positioned to sustain Nasarawa’s economic reforms beyond the current administration.
“I want to assure the investing public that, by the grace of God, seated in our midst here is the next governor of Nasarawa,” he said.
The Vice President added that Senator Wadada “has his job cut out,” noting that continuity in governance would be critical to protecting investor confidence as the state approaches the 2027 political transition.
Push for Policy Continuity
Mr Shettima emphasised that Nasarawa’s development trajectory must not be disrupted by electoral changes, urging stakeholders to prioritise stability over political uncertainty.
He said the state’s reforms should outlive administrations, describing continuity as “Nigeria’s next competitive advantage.”
He further stated that Senator Wadada, a former banker and current senator representing Nasarawa West, was well-positioned to continue ongoing economic policies initiated by Governor Sule.
Investment confidence and political transition
The summit also produced the Lafia Declaration, a framework designed to reassure investors that existing contracts and policies would remain intact after the 2027 elections.
According to organisers, the declaration was signed by political actors, judiciary representatives, development partners, and private investors as a commitment to sustaining reforms regardless of political outcomes.
Mr Shettima stressed that such assurances were essential to maintaining investor confidence during election cycles.
The Vice President’s remarks are seen as aligning with Governor Sule’s succession plan, with Senator Wadada widely regarded as a frontrunner in the upcoming APC governorship race.
Mr Shettima told the senator directly, “Senator Wadada, you have your job cut out for you. We wish you well,” drawing attention from political stakeholders at the summit.
The endorsement marks an early and significant signal in Nasarawa’s 2027 succession battle, where internal party negotiations are expected to intensify ahead of the All Progressives Congress primaries.
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