By Sam Israel
The APC Governorship Primary Election has come and gone. Like every democratic contest, it produced winners and those who did not emerge victorious. However, now that the exercise has been concluded, the time has come for healing, reconciliation, and collective action in the interest of our dear Nasarawa State. Elections and primaries are temporary events, but the peace, unity, and development of our state are permanent responsibilities that must be protected by all.
Nasarawa State is greater than any individual, political ambition, ethnic group, religious affiliation, or sectional interest. The future of our state depends on our ability to rise above personal disappointments and celebrate our common identity as one people with a shared destiny. The strength of any society lies not in the absence of competition but in its ability to unite after competition. This is the moment to demonstrate political maturity and statesmanship.
As members of one APC family, we must put the contest behind us and focus on the greater task ahead—the task of building a stronger, safer, more prosperous, and more united Nasarawa State. The primary election was never a war; it was merely a process for selecting a flag bearer. Therefore, there should be no room for bitterness, resentment, or hostility among brothers and sisters who ultimately seek the progress of the same state.
At this critical moment, our traditional rulers, religious leaders, opinion leaders, youth leaders, women groups, tribal associations, and all organized bodies have a sacred responsibility to preach peace, love, tolerance, and understanding. Their voices carry influence, and they must use that influence to calm emotions, promote dialogue, and encourage unity across communities. Their message should be clear and consistent: no political disagreement is worth the peace of Nasarawa State.
From Toto to Wamba, from Nasarawa Eggon to Panda, from Awe to Karu, from Keffi to Lafia, and from Doma to Nasarawa Local Government, the message must resonate in every home, market, mosque, church, and village square: we are one people. Political differences must never be allowed to divide us. Rather, they should strengthen our democratic culture and remind us that diversity of opinion is a strength, not a weakness.
History has shown that states and nations that embrace reconciliation after political contests emerge stronger, while those that allow bitterness and division to fester often suffer setbacks. Nasarawa must choose the path of peace. We must choose dialogue over confrontation, unity over division, and cooperation over conflict. The future generations who will inherit this state deserve nothing less.
For those who participated in the governorship race but did not emerge victorious, this is the time to demonstrate courage, patience, and political wisdom. Every political journey has its seasons of triumph and disappointment. Today may not have gone as expected, but tomorrow presents new opportunities. Political ambition is a marathon, not a sprint. Those who did not succeed this time should not throw away the baby with the bathwater. The same political platform that did not favor them today may become the vehicle that delivers their aspirations tomorrow.
The greatest leaders in history are not those who never experienced setbacks; they are those who remained committed despite temporary disappointments. Therefore, supporters and loyalists of all aspirants must resist the temptation of anger and destructive reactions. Instead, they should channel their energy toward strengthening the party and advancing the collective interest of the state. The road ahead is longer and more important than the contest that has just ended.
On the other hand, victory comes with responsibility. Those who have emerged victorious must be magnanimous in victory. This is not the time for triumphalism, exclusion, or political chest-beating. Rather, it is the time to extend hands of fellowship to former opponents, acknowledge their contributions, and assure them that there is room for everyone in the journey ahead. Genuine reconciliation requires humility from the winners and goodwill from those who did not win.
Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu’s emergence as the APC governorship candidate presents a fresh opportunity for the party to consolidate its strength and move forward as one united family. His victory should not be viewed as the triumph of one group over another, but as the collective victory of the APC. The task before all party members now is to close ranks, unite behind the candidate, and work tirelessly toward success in the general election.
The journey to Government House cannot be achieved by one man alone. It requires the support, sacrifices, and commitment of every stakeholder. It requires party leaders, elected officials, youths, women, community leaders, and grassroots supporters to work together with one purpose. Unity is not merely desirable at this stage; it is absolutely necessary. When a people move in one direction with one vision, no obstacle can prevent their progress.
Beyond the immediate political objective, there is a broader conversation about equity, inclusion, and balance in the leadership of our state. The spirit of fairness must continue to guide our political arrangements. As the people of the western zone prepare to take the mantle of leadership, it is equally important for the southern zone to begin preparing to present the next governor after eight years, while the northern zone follows thereafter. Such an arrangement, built on mutual understanding and respect, promotes inclusiveness and gives every part of the state a sense of belonging.
This principle is much like a relay race, where each runner receives the baton, runs his leg of the race with dedication, and then hands it over peacefully to the next runner. No single runner owns the race; success belongs to the entire team. When leadership rotates in a spirit of justice and fairness, trust is strengthened, political tensions are reduced, and the bonds of unity become stronger.
As citizens of Nasarawa State, we must never allow politicians to become enemies because of politics. Elections come and go, but our relationships remain. We attend the same schools, worship in the same places, trade in the same markets, and share the same dreams for our children. We are bound together by a common destiny that transcends political contests.
The peace of Nasarawa State is priceless. Development can only flourish where peace exists. Investors are attracted to peaceful environments. Businesses thrive in peaceful communities. Families prosper in peaceful societies. Therefore, every citizen must become an ambassador of peace by rejecting hate speech, avoiding inflammatory comments, discouraging misinformation, and promoting mutual respect in all interactions.
Let this period mark the beginning of a new chapter in our state’s political history—a chapter defined not by bitterness and division but by reconciliation, unity, and purposeful leadership. Let us heal old wounds, build new bridges, and strengthen the bonds that unite us as one people. Let us demonstrate to the nation that Nasarawa State is a model of political maturity and peaceful coexistence.
The APC primary election is over, but the greater assignment has just begun. Together, we must protect our unity, preserve our peace, support our collective aspirations, and work toward a brighter future for generations yet unborn. If we stand together, no force can divide us. If we work together, no challenge can defeat us. If we remain united, victory will surely be ours.
United we stand. United we win. United we build a greater Nasarawa State.
Sam Israel is the Senior Special Assistant SSA on media to Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu.
