‘Abuja Politicians’ Made APC Lose Osun – Gov Sule

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has attributed the All Progressives Congress (APC) loss in the Osun State governorship election to the actions of “Abuja politicians.”

Sule made the remark while presenting Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acknowledgement slips to APC gubernatorial and state House of Assembly candidates in Lafia, the state capital, on Tuesday.

According to him, but for the interference of some politicians based in Abuja, the APC would not have lost the Osun poll.

“APC lost partly because of the Abuja politicians, you know, because if not for some of these Abuja politicians, there was no way for APC to lose in Osun,” he said.

The governor, however, said the outcome of the election also underscored the influence of an incumbent governor.

“What it means is that the power of a sitting governor is not something you can joke around with. That’s the message that was sent, actually, in Osun,” Sule stated.

He added that those celebrating the APC’s defeat do not understand the implication of the result.

“So, for people who are celebrating, they don’t even understand what the hell they are celebrating. What they are celebrating is that the power of a sitting governor in Osun is what has stopped them from winning,” he said.

Governor Sule further drew a parallel to Nasarawa, warning that the state also has “one hell of a sitting governor.”

While he declined to take credit in advance for the party’s plans, the governor said, “I’m not going to brag about anything that we are going to do, but what I can tell you is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done well.”

The presentation of INEC slips was for APC candidates ahead of the next round of state elections in Nasarawa.

Sule urged APC candidates in the state to shun sycophancy, blackmail and anti-party activities as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

He commended the APC State Chairman and the State Working Committee for involving him in the ceremony, which he said also provided him an opportunity to meet some of the candidates for the first time.

“It is time, because politics actually involve, you know, a lot of sycophancy, blackmail, you know, underhand, and things like that. I’m begging you in the name of God, don’t get involved in that,” the governor said.

Sule cautioned candidates against what he described as “drama” of campaigning for the APC while secretly supporting candidates of other parties.

“When you are campaigning, campaign for APC. Don’t go with the drama that maybe I can actually campaign for myself and campaign for another candidate of another party, if you do that, you know, people will see. And the people that see, they are also going to make sure that they react to you in that manner,” he said.

“I don’t believe in this anti-party, I don’t believe in this realignment, I don’t believe in that. And I’m begging you also not to believe in the same,” he added, urging them to “go out there and vote for the party that you believe in.”

The governor explained that the INEC acknowledgement slips serve as confirmation of the candidates’ recognition by the electoral body and allow them to verify the spelling of their names.

He advised them to promptly correct any errors to ensure their names were accurately reflected on ballot papers.

In his remarks, Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mohammed Oyanki, said representatives from all 24 state constituencies were present.

“Your Excellency, these are times that we need each other the most. Your Excellency, we will do our best. Insha’Allah, Rabbil Alamin, we’ll do our best to make sure we see Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, distinguished Senator, succeeds you,” Oyanki said.

He added that members representing the Nasarawa Northern Zone have “a special assignment” to ensure Governor Sule is returned as Senator, Insha’Allah.

The event was part of APC’s early mobilization activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.(Daily trust)