Kashim Shettima Publicly Backs Senator Wadada for Nasarawa Governor Ahead of 2027 Race

(Vice President Kashim Shettima speaking at the Nasarawa Investment. Photo credit: punch news)
Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima publicly endorsed Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as Nasarawa's next governor in 2027, aligning himself with Governor Abdullahi Sule before of the All Progressives Congress primary election in Nasarawa State.

Senator Wadada, who presently represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, was named by Shettima as Sule's successor. The senator "has his job cut out" as Nasarawa State gets ready for a political transition in 2027.

Speaking at the beginning of the two-day Nasarawa Investment Summit 2026 in Lafia with the theme "Bold Transitions, Building a Legacy for a Sustainable Future," Shettima made the statement.

The summit, which is intended to institutionalize economic reforms after the 2027 elections, is the last investment meeting during Sule's administration.

Speaking to delegates that included investors, traditional rulers, political figures, candidates for governorships, and members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, the Vice President reassured the investing public that Nasarawa's economic trajectory will stay steady regardless of Sule's successor.

Shettima prayed and expressed hope that Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, who was present at the summit, would follow Sule and guarantee the state's investment drive would continue and be sustainable.

He stated that as the state gets closer to the 2027 political change, the guarantee is essential to preserving investor trust.

"I want to reassure the investing public that the next governor of Nasarawa is, by God's grace, seated among us." He would follow the agreement, Shettima declared.

He continued by characterizing Senator Wadada as a technocrat with a history in banking who "will continue from where Engineer A.A. Sule is going to stop" and "cut his teeth in the banking industry."

Shettima then addressed Wadada directly, saying, "Senator Wadada, you have your job cut out for you." Wadada is now the National Assembly's representative for Nasarawa West and is thought to be Sule's favorite candidate for governor in 2027. We wish you well.”

The Lafia Declaration, a voluntary pledge by political parties, the legislature, the judiciary, development partners, and investors to continue Nasarawa's reform agenda past the next election cycle, was introduced during the summit at the time of the Vice President's remarks.

The statement is meant to reassure investors that agreements and regulations would not change during the changeover.

In closing, the Vice President emphasized that "the greatest gift any leader can leave is the certainty that progress will survive after him," characterizing continuity rooted in skill and morality as "Nigeria's next competitive advantage."