While the battle for Nasarawa State’s governorship in 2027 has largely been framed as a contest for the western senatorial zone, a quieter but equally intense rebellion is brewing within the Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone itself. Voters and political stakeholders from the zone’s five local government areas are increasingly vocal about what they describe as Keffi’s “stranglehold” on the zone’s political fortunes, sparking calls for a “balancing act” that would see the governorship ticket go to the Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency rather than Keffi again.
The resentment centers on a stark reality: despite comprising five local government areas—Keffi, Karu, Kokona, Nasarawa, and Toto—the zone’s political narrative has been dominated by Keffi’s interests, personalities, and infrastructure. Now, as the zone mounts a unified front to reclaim the governorship after a 20-year absence, internal equity is becoming a battle cry which should be factored in.
Keffi’s prominence is undeniable. It hosts the zone’s most populous urban center, and has produced the zone’s most visible political figures, including former Governor and APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu. The recent stakeholders’ meeting convened by Adamu to push for the zone to produce the next governor was itself held in Keffi; a symbolic choice that has not gone unnoticed by other parts of the zone.
“Every time our zone meets, it’s in Keffi. Every aspirant mentioned is from Keffi or Karu. Every federal appointment celebrated is from that axis,” said a youth leader from Nasarawa Local Government Area who asked not to be named for fear of political reprisal. “We are told this is about ‘Nasarawa West,’ but it feels like it’s about Keffi West.”
Governor Abdullahi Sule, while defending zoning as imperative for fairness among the three senatorial districts, has himself acknowledged internal imbalances. During a recent meeting with Toto stakeholders, the governor emphasized that his support for rotational leadership was born from his experience as a beneficiary when power shifted to Nasarawa North despite its “lean demographic strength.” The comment resonated with Nasarawa/Toto residents who see the governor’s story as reflcting their current position.
The Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency—which comprises Nasarawa and Toto LGAs—has become the focal point of the internal agitation for equity. It is common argument across the state that if zoning is truly about fairness and inclusion, as Governor Sule and Senator Adamu insist, then the principle must apply within the zone as well.
“Senator Adamu says it’s our zone’s turn after 20 years. We agree,” said Ibrahim Musa, a community mobilizer from Udege. “But let’s look at those 20 years. The last governor from our zone was Adamu himself—from Keffi. Before that, the zone’s federal representatives, ministers, and board appointments have largely been from Keffi or Karu. When will Nasarawa/Toto have its day?”
“If zoning is to ensure fairness, then Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency should produce the next governor,” said a prominent traditional title holder from Nasarawa LGA who preferrednot to be named. “Otherwise, we are simply replacing one form of dominance with another. We left the South and North to take their turns; now we must ensure Keffi does not swallow the West’s opportunity.”
Whether the zone’s leadership can navigate this internal equity demand while maintaining its united front remains an open question. What is clear, however, is that the conversation has shifted from simply “West vs. South vs. North” to a more nuanced demand for fairness at every level; a development that could reshape the 2027 race in unexpected ways.
