By Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia
Anxiety, intrinsic and extrinsic factors will combine to determine who becomes the next Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government (SSG), following the relief of the former SSG, Barrister Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu from his position, amidst jubilations across the 13 local government areas of the state.
However, investigation by our correspondent shows that no fewer than six immediate past commissioners are said to have intensified lobbying for the coveted position which is popularly described as the engine room of every state government across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),
Those, however, clamoring to occupying the position occupied by the former SSG are the former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, Princess (Dr.) Margaret Elayo – Commissioner, Special Duties, Humanitarian Services and NGOs, the former senator representing Nasarawa South at the National Assembly Salihu Husseini Egyegbola are jostling for the exotic position.
Others, are the erstwhile Chairman of Lafia Local Government Area and the former National President president of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Aminu Muazu Maifata and a former chairman, Lafia local government area, Ahmed Suleiman Wambai.
Also eying the controversial seat is the sacked Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Yakubu Kwanta ans Prof. Mohammed Akaro Mainoma, Former VC NSUK, Former Commissioner for Finance and currently the VC Prime University Abuja among invisible political heavyweights who are yet to indicate interest for the most and sensitive office, but as event unfolds they shall be known.
Meanwhile, anxiety has further increased, fueling speculations and rumours that the governor might appoint Dr. Elayo whom political analysts in the state said she may be favoured and also considered as a replacement of the former SSG to occupy the exalted seat because of her gender status and her close link with Governor Sule.
The odds against the immediate past Lafia LGA Maifata as according to political pundits in the state are many: he is too tribalistic and nepotic in human relations.
Some political observers in the state are of the opinion that even though the position is for Lafia, he may be considered due to his loyalty to the governor but the governor is in dilemma to choose between the immediate past Commissioner, Special Duties, Humanitarian Services and NGOs, Elayo.
Analysts in the state are of the view that the former senator representing Nasarawa South at the National Assembly assembly, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and the former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu may play a pivotal role in the appointment of the SSG.
However, our correspondent gathered that the factor that played against the former SSG was that during the official inauguration of the multibillion naira office of the deputy governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe where the sacked former SSG did not recognize the presence of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and the former deputy governor of the state, Professor Onje Gye-Wado among others prominent APC critical stakeholders in the state.
Nevertheless, Governor Abdullahi Sule had linked the delay to his style: to critically examine before choosing, saying he would not rush to select another SSG and his cabinet because of the imminent danger in rushing things, explaining that doing so at that time might lead him into huge mistakes.
He had also said as part of his measures to ease the burden of liabilities on the state.
Whether Governor Sule is interested in matching his words with action: when he said that Nasarawa is for everybody, irrespective of party affiliation, is yet to be known.
He stated that the remaining two years of his administration will be the most productive.
Governor Sule made this known when he hosted the immediate past commissioners who were at the Government House, Lafia on a thank-you visit.
Sule stated that his administration has two years more to be able to demonstrate its performance.
His words, “We have roughly two good years to operate. I want to make sure that these two years that we are running are some of the most productive two years that we ever had in this our administration.”
The governor reiterated that he had to dissolve the executive council in order to rejuvenate the council for maximum efficiency and performance, especially that Nasarawa State has the largest budget ever in the history of the state, estimated at over N384bn.
This is just as he emphasized that his administration will work very hard to ensure that revenue is generated in order to implement the budget.
Our correspondent reports that last Friday 3, 2025 Governor Sule announced the disolution of the state executive council, the third in the life of his administration. He also relieved the then Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu of his position.
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