From Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

Former Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor Mohammad Sani Haruna, on Wednesday, formally declared his intention to contest the Nasarawa State governorship election in 2027, pledging to build on the industrialisation and infrastructure development agenda of successive administrations in the state.

Haruna, who spoke at his Western Zone mega rally held at Keffi, attended by a mammoth crowd of supporters and political stakeholders in Nasarawa State, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governors of the state and incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule for laying strong foundations for development, peace and stability.

He said following extensive consultations across the state he has decided to offer himself to serve the state in the position of governor come 2027 and called on the party faithful across the state to support him to realise the ambition.

He told the mammoth crowd that, he was going ahead to purchase the nomination form and participate in the Governorship primaries of the party on the 21st of May 2026.

He explained that he is contesting based on his exposure and achievements at NASENI which is spread across Nasarawa State and other states of the country, and the only thing he can assure the people of the State is transparent administration and judicious utilization of resources if given the mandate.

“I’m going ahead to purchase the nomination form and will participate in the Governorship primaries, you can be rest assured, what I can promise you is transparent administration and judicious utilization of your resources and keep the trust.

“I urge you to remain peaceful, to be calm, and obey the constituted authority. Learn to be your brothers’ keeper. Fighting, insults, and all kinds of vices that lead to public unrest do not benefit anybody.

“Will you vote for me during the forthcoming governorship primaries of the APC?, he asked and the crowd thundered “yes” amid drumming, dancing and jubilation.

Will you vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2027 presidential elections?” he asked, and the crowd also chorused “yes.”

He said as far as the next governor of Nasarawa State is concerned competence should be the criteria.

“I know I am competent, when I was looking for NASENI job as Executive Vice Chairman, I was employed on merit out of 67 people that contested, wrote examinations and attended interviews for the position. There was no sentiment because merit prevailed,” he said.

Former Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI),Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna (middle), acknowledging cheers from his supporters during the Western Zone Mega Rally for the 2027 Nasarawa Governorship Elections, held at Emir’s Palace in Keffi, Nasarawa state, yesterday.

The former NASENI boss particularly commended ex-Governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, whom he described as “the architect of modern Nasarawa State.”

“We recall the contributions of His Excellency, our leader and elder statesman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu,” Haruna said.

He added: “We recognise him as the architect of modern Nasarawa State because of the solid foundation he laid for governance, peace and development.”

Haruna also acknowledged the contributions of other former governors of the state, including the late Aliyu Akwe Doma, Senator Tanko Al-Makura and the incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule.

According to him, every administration in the state had contributed in different ways to the growth and stability of Nasarawa.

He said: “We are proud of the roles played by all our former governors and leaders who contributed to the peace, unity and progress of Nasarawa State.”

Speaking on the administration of Governor Sule, Haruna praised the ongoing industrialisation drive, infrastructure expansion and investments in manufacturing and human capital development.

“We wish to expand the industrialisation, the manufacturing economy and the infrastructure expansion that is going on now under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule,” he said.

The governorship aspirant said traditional rulers and political leaders had collectively sustained peace and stability in the state, adding that his administration would continue to strengthen that partnership if elected.

“All these leaders, in collaboration with non-partisan traditional rulers, have played important roles in maintaining peace, progress and stability in the state. If we have your mandate, we intend to continue with this,” he stated.

Haruna also praised President Tinubu for supporting the development of NASENI and helping to resolve challenges relating to the agency’s statutory funding.

“We cannot speak about the successes recorded without acknowledging the role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in ensuring that issues surrounding the collection of NASENI industrial levy, which forms part of the statutory funding for development, were addressed,” he said.

The former NASENI chief stressed that peace and unity remained critical to development, warning against insecurity and division.

“It is only in an atmosphere of peace, tranquillity and unity that any society can thrive. We know the sorry state of places living under insecurity or conflict. We must not allow such challenges to divide our people,” he said.

Haruna further promised to ensure prudent utilisation of the state’s natural and human resources while prioritising industrial growth, skills acquisition and youth empowerment.

Reflecting on his public service career, he said merit and competence should remain central in governance and public appointments.

• He urged his supporters to conduct themselves peacefully as political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election gather momentum in the state.

From Adeko Ukpa

A former Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor Mohammed Sani Haruna, has credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with playing a pivotal role in resolving long-standing institutional challenges that contributed to his success at the agency.

The former NASENI boss spoke during a consultative meeting in Keffi with stakeholders and support groups drawn from the three senatorial zones, where he sought their direction on whether to proceed with his ambition or withdraw.

Former Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI),Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, addressing his supporters, during the stakeholders meeting with representatives of statewide support groups and associations, held at his Gubernatorial Campaign Office Keffi, yesterday.

Speaking on his tenure, Haruna said the achievements recorded at NASENI would be incomplete without acknowledging Tinubu’s intervention, even before he became President.

“This success story is incomplete if you don’t mention the contribution of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he was yet to be the President,” Haruna said.

He explained that for over three decades after the establishment of NASENI, the agency struggled to realise its statutory funding, prompting efforts to develop a framework for the assessment and collection of the NASENI Industrial Levy.

According to him, the process encountered major setbacks when a new leadership at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) opposed the initiative.

“We ran into hitches for 34 years after the establishment of NASENI. Its statutory funding was not realised, and we developed a template for the commencement of the assessment and collection of the NASENI Industrial Levy. One of his trusted associates was appointed as the new chairman of FIRS, Babatunde Fowler, who came in and objected to it. He even refused to grant us an audience or allow any continuation,” Haruna said.

Haruna noted that he subsequently sought the intervention of Tinubu at his Lagos residence, facilitated by his associate, Tunde Rahman, alongside an Arewa youth leader, Alhaji Mohammed Yakubu.

“I then went to meet President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — at a time when he was not even a contestant — at his residence in Lagos. Tunde Rahman, my good friend, who is still an aide to President Tinubu, took me to him. I was accompanied by a leader of Arewa Youth, Alhaji Mohammed Yakubu. They are all alive,” he recounted.

He added that following discussions at Tinubu’s annual birthday colloquium, the issue was eventually resolved.

“After attending and contributing to the annual colloquium to mark his birthday, a meeting was held and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu listened to us, and eventually, the industrial levy issue was resolved. So, if you are celebrating our contribution, you should also remember the contribution of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Haruna said.

Speaking further, Haruna declared that he will not step down for Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada in the Nasarawa State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship race, despite the reported endorsement of Wadada by Governor Abdullahi Sule.

He told the gathering that his decision would be guided by their collective position.

“If you are resolved that we shall accept the verdict and withdraw from this struggle, I will vote ‘aye.’ If the decision of this meeting is that we shall go to the primaries, that is not my problem. That is the essence of this meeting,” he said.

After deliberations, stakeholders across the three zones unanimously urged him to remain in the race and test his popularity at the party’s primaries.

Accepting the outcome, Haruna said he would abide by their decision and move ahead with his campaign.

“When the government announced its decision, the aspirants in this forum agreed that we will consult our supporters and critical stakeholders and then take a unanimous decision. That is the reason why you did not hear from me. Your verdict has determined our next line of action, and I hereby accept to contest the primaries. We will be having our rally on Wednesday,” he said.

He defended his right to contest, citing his contributions to the formation and growth of the APC.

“I provided financial support to the Congress for Progressive Change and the establishment of the party. Some chairmen and officials are alive to attest to how we supported the establishment of party offices across local governments. I started my APC from the national. If this forum succeeds, even if I am not the governor, I should celebrate it because it is my initiative,” he said.

Haruna also addressed the issue of succession, noting that earlier expectations regarding a preferred candidate had not been met.

“We gave a blanket cheque that the governor could select anyone among those that would have our support based on certain expectations, but the situation has changed,” he said.

He maintained that his actions were not in defiance of party authority but rooted in democratic principles.

“We are not disobedient to constitutional authority. We are in the party and we are working for its success. If the primaries are free, fair and transparent, we will accept whatever Allah has decided as the verdict,” he said.

Stakeholders who spoke at the meeting cited zoning equity, Haruna’s track record, and his grassroots appeal as reasons for backing his candidacy.

From Nasarawa North, Suleyman Amgbashi emphasised the need for micro-zoning within Nasarawa West, noting that some local governments, such as Karu, had yet to produce a governor.

From the Southern zone, Barrister Ibrahim Adega said the absence of consensus made a primary contest inevitable.

“The governor has a preferred candidate, but that does not automatically make the candidate the choice of everyone. Since there is no consensus, there must be a contest. We told him clearly to go to the primary. We are ready for the contest,” he said.

Other speakers, including former APC chairman in Keffi Local Government, Mohammed Bello, and Rev. Dr. Pastor Benjamin Baka, described Haruna as a leading aspirant with verifiable achievements in public service and a strong support base across the state.

They expressed confidence that his leadership experience, particularly his record at NASENI, positions him as a formidable contender in the upcoming APC governorship primaries in Nasarawa State.

From Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

Political activist, Comrade Timi Frank, has called on the United States government to investigate and sanction the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over alleged actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s democracy.

Frank’s demand followed a viral video in which Gbajabiamila was quoted as telling Hon Leke Abejide, during his wife’s 50th birthday that: “Don’t come to APC. Stay in ADC and scatter them. We like what you’re doing… stay in ADC and win your election… bring Bala Gombe, and we’ll support him. Good luck in court.”

Describing the remarks as “reckless” and dangerous, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said they point to a deliberate attempt to weaken opposition parties and erode democratic institutions.

“Your statement, as Chief of Staff, raises serious concerns about the determination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s regime to truncate democracy,” he said, adding that “inference can be made that there is an infringement on the independence of the judiciary.”

He warned that any suggestion that courts could be influenced “undermines public confidence in democratic institutions,” citing references to political actors, including Leke Abejide, as requiring clarification to avoid “dangerous interpretations.”

Frank argued that Gbajabiamila’s comments effectively confirm the Presidency’s involvement in crises rocking opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“When a Chief of Staff speaks, it reflects the body language of the President. This points to a deliberate attempt to weaken opposition and consolidate power,” he said.

He further claimed that state influence, including the use of the judiciary, is being deployed against opposition parties. “The audacity of the statement suggests nothing will happen even if opposition parties are destabilised. That is dangerous,” he added.

Frank described Gbajabiamila as “an alter ego of the President” who had “displayed the arrogance of power,” insisting that public office holders must uphold restraint, respect for the rule of law and constitutional order.

He also urged U.S. authorities to probe Gbajabiamila’s activities and financial dealings.

“As an American citizen, he should be held accountable. We want to know if he is meeting his tax obligations in line with his earnings in Nigeria,” Frank said, describing him as “a bad ambassador of the United States.”

“We want to be sure that all earnings, including those from official and business engagements in Nigeria, are properly declared and taxed,” he added.

On accountability, Frank insisted resignation was the only honourable option.

“We call for your resignation with immediate effect. If such a statement were made in the United States, the official involved would have resigned forthwith,” he said.

He disclosed plans to petition the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, stressing that “those entrusted with leadership must reflect humility, constitutional awareness and respect for separation of powers.”

“Power is transient, but institutions must endure. Any comment that diminishes their independence must be corrected,” he added.

The call comes amid rising concerns over the stability of Nigeria’s multiparty system and allegations of increasing pressure on opposition parties.