Abdullahi Shuaibu, Lafia
The contest for Nasarawa South Senatorial seat will be a straight
fight between the senator representing the zone at the National
Assembly, Senator Suleiman Asonya Adokwe and the incumbent Governor of
the state, Umaru Tanko Al-makura.
Senator Adokwe who has been at the red chamber of the National
Assembly for the past 12 years wants to be re-elected for the fourth
term, Whiile, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura, whose tenure as the Governor
will come to an end in 29th May, 2019 also wants to wrestle the senate
seat from the incumbent Senator Suleiman Adokwe a situation in which
the governor will get it very difficult if not impossible going by the
present scenario in the state politics.
Although, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa state has done
very well during his tenure in the state, but political analysts in
the state are of the view that his performances as a Governor of the
state would not be translated as anything because of the fact that the
senatorial zone in which he comes from consists of people with
different ethnic and religious background.
The present senator representing the area, Senator Suleiman Asonya
Adokwe is from Alago extraction which constitutes over 50% of the
population of the zone, beside he will also enjoys the support of
other tribes like Tiv, Eggon, Koro, Akye, Jukun and other minority tribes
in the area who are by implication against Governor Al-makura who is a
Gwandara man from Lafia Local Government who might have stepped into
many people’s toes in the cause of his leadership in the past eight
years in the state.
Another factor that may work against the Governor during the election
is his nepotism policy most especially in appointing some of his
tribal men and relations in government among which was the resent
appointment of his younger brother, Alhaji Aliyu A. Abdulkadir as
Commissioner representing Nasarawa State in Revenue Mobilization
Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) against all odds.
Also, the appointment of his nephew Alhaji Idris Ahmadu Al-makura as
executive secretary, Muslim pilgrim welfare board among other factors.
But in any case, his performances as Governor most especially in areas
of road constructions, provision of infrastructures among others will
go a long way in making him win the election come Saturday 16th
February, 2019.
Senator Adokwe on the other hand, may face the problems of lack of
performances since he assumed duties as senator representing the area
in the national assembly in the past 12 years may affect his
re-election bid.
Pollitical pundits argued that, Adokwe cannot pinpoint any project
he executed despite his long stay at the red chamber.
Senator Adokwe is PDP candidate while Governor Al-mukara is APC candidate.
The question now is, can Governor Al-makura stops Senator Adokwe from
going back to the red chamber this time around? Only time shall tell.
Nasarawa Reporters 