Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has given reasons why he is insisting on rotating the seat of power amongst the three senatorial zones of the state, stressing that zoning ensures fairness and peaceful coexistence.
Governor Sule made this known when he hosted stakeholders from Toto Local Government Area at the Government House on Friday.
According to the Governor, even though every son and daughter of the state is free to aspire to govern the state, he is personally supporting zoning because it gives a sense of belonging to all the zones of the state.
“Today, I am totally misunderstood in this state by some stakeholders because I said I am a product of zoning and I want to also support zoning to continue. When I make such comment, I am not denying any zone any opportunity. I am not denying anybody any opportunity. Everybody has the right. As far as you are the son or daughter of this state, you have the right and contest and show interest in being the governor. Nobody can stop you. But I am just saying that A. A. Sule as a person, if you leave it to me, I would like to support somebody from that zone because that is the zone that can actually produce the next governor,” he stated.
He pointed out but for the resolve and commitment of former governor Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, he wouldn’t have been governor especially that his zone, Nasarawa North has only three local government areas.
Governor Sule said because of the support he got from his immediate predecessor in 2019, he will always respect Senator Al-makura in spite of the divisive antics on social media.
“I continue to appeal to people to understand that this rotation gives people peace. Every time you have the opportunity to rotate this kind of position, you give people opportunity for peace. You give people the opportunity to have hope.
“A zone like Nasarawa North with three local government areas, if not that we have somebody like Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura who fought to say that, no it must go to that zone, your zone would have taken it away from us. But he said no. He stood by me. That is the reason why no matter what somebody says on the social media, I continue to respect Tanko Al-makura and I don’t say anything because he supported us,” he said.
The Governor said that it is in the same spirit that he is insisting on zoning, to give the zones a sense of belonging.
“It is the same role that I am trying to play. So that one day, a governor will stand here and say, if not for A. A. Sule, that believes in zoning, I won’t have been a governor. This is just the point I am making,” he said.
While further appealing for understanding, Governor Sule said there are so many other positions to be contested by those aspiring for elective offices, as well as time for them to fulfil their political objectives.
He used the opportunity of the visit to appreciate the new found peace and unity amongst the various ethnic groups in Toto Local Government Area.
“I am so happy to see that Toto is becoming Toto united local government. I am so excited to see everybody here from the various ethnic groups. Toto is rich. Toto has great potential for agriculture, mining. You have very educated people. You have the longest serving traditional ruler and today for you to come in as a united team,” he said.
Governor Sule said even though the stakeholders were giving him credit for achieving the feat of bringing back peace and unity to the area, the credit also goes to traditional rulers, community leaders and prominent sons and daughters of Toto LGA who worked in unison for peace and unity.
“You are celebrating me for bringing peace to Toto by bringing all the other ethnic nationalities together. But I would not have been able to achieve it alone without the support of the Ohimege Opanda who stood there for me, without the support of the former speaker, who stood there to make sure it happens, without the support of the SSG who has worked very hard and to cooperate and understand. But more importantly also, without the Bassa people especially the Aguma Bassa for accepting to do everything possible to come back,” he added.
Stating their mission for the visit, the Ohimegye Opanda, HRH Usman Abdullahi, said they were at the Government House in solidarity and to show appreciation for what Governor Sule has been doing for Toto Local Government Area.
The royal father was particularly appreciative of the efforts of the Governor to bring back peace and unity to the area previously torn apart by communal crises.
“I could remember, the last time we were here, our brothers the Bassas were not here that was during the time of Tashas but today, we are complete in number praise be to God. Your Excellency, the purpose of our coming to see you this morning is not something that is difficult. We are here to show our solidarity with your government,” he said.
In his remarks, Chairman of Toto Local Government Area, Pharmacist Baba Ahmed Yahaya, commended the Governor for his commitment to maintain peace in the council previously bedevilled by decade-long civil unrest.
Earlier, in an opening remarks, Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, SAN, said the Toto stakeholders found it necessary to thank Governor Sule for his exemplary leadership and inclusive governance style.
