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Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who is also the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Media and Publicity Committee for the upcoming Osun State gubernatorial election, has said all 31 APC governors are working relentlessly to secure victory for the party, insisting that the extensive mobilisation, campaign activities and resources being deployed demonstrate the party’s determination to win the election fairly through the ballot.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on ARISE NEWS on Friday, Sule said the APC was leaving nothing to chance in its quest to win the election, arguing that the level of planning, mobilisation and financial commitment by the party would be unnecessary if it intended to rely on coercion or intimidation.
“Every governor—all 31 of us—every governor is a member. So many governors are chairing mobilization, logistics, finance, and other committees, and everybody is putting in a lot of effort. These are people who are really working hard to win the election, not people who are working hard to muscle the election away from the people,” he said.
“As far as we are concerned, we are doing every potential possibility to ensure that we win this election fairly. We do not win by muscle energy. As a party, that is why we are campaigning. We are campaigning seriously. If you see the amount of effort we are putting in the media committee and the mobilization committee—just yesterday, I was meeting with one of the Special Advisers to the President on Media—and the provision, even some of the things they are saying, is very expensive.
“If we thought this was an easy election, we would not be spending what we are spending. We would not be putting in the kind of effort we are putting. If we believed we could muscle the election out of them, why put in all these efforts?”, he quizzed.
Addressing concerns over the tense political atmosphere ahead of the poll, the chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee said his decision to join public service was inspired by the belief that capable individuals should actively participate in governance. He said the APC media committee’s priority is to promote peaceful, transparent and credible elections by communicating the party’s policies and programmes, while rejecting intimidation and political hostility as campaign tools.
“Part of my decision to enter public service was driven by the idea that capable individuals must participate in governance rather than leave it entirely to career politicians. I have never regretted entering public life, even when navigating complex political dynamics.
“Our goal on the media committee is to utilize our experience to promote peaceful, transparent, and fair elections. We focus on highlighting our party’s platform clearly without resorting to intimidation or political hostility,” he remarked.
Responding to allegations that the APC relies on federal security agencies and administrative influence to intimidate political opponents, Sule rejected the claims, maintaining that political parties do not direct arrests or law enforcement operations.
He said security agencies act independently, while stressing that the APC remains committed to fair democratic competition. He added that allegations and counter-allegations are common in politics and described President Bola Tinubu’sintervention on state accounts as a leadership decision aimed at preserving order and stability rather than advancing partisan interests.
“Political parties do not carry out arrests; security agencies operate independently based on their own assessments. Law enforcement actions affect individuals across political lines.
“In politics, allegations and counter-allegations are constant. Our focus remains on encouraging security agencies to perform their duties fairly while maintaining open, democratic competition. President Bola Tinubu’s recent intervention regarding state accounts demonstrated leadership aimed at maintaining order and stability rather than taking partisan advantage,” he maintained.
On whether the Osun governorship election would serve as a litmus test for the 2027 general elections, Governor Sule said such characterisations are common with every off-cycle poll. While acknowledging that state elections can offer some insight into public sentiment, he argued that each election is shaped by its own unique political realities and should not be regarded as a definitive predictor of future nationwide contests.
“Every off-cycle state election is labeled a “litmus test” by commentators. We heard the same claims during previous elections in Anambra and Ekiti. While off-cycle elections provide insights into voter sentiment, each state presents unique local dynamics. It is one indicator among many, rather than a definitive test for a general election,” he argued.
Speaking on the recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in Nasarawa State, Governor Sule attributed the development to his administration’s record of development, fairness and good governance. He said the defectors voluntarily approached the APC and explained that their decision was driven by what they described as visible progress in the state and confidence in the leadership of the party, his administration and President Tinubu.
“Development and progress. I am giving you the words they used. We have had about three or four of them now: the former Deputy Publicity Secretary, Farida Omar; the former Publicity Secretary in the state, Ibrahim Hamza; and others. Every time they came, I asked them—we didn’t go asking them to join our party—we asked them why. They said they have seen development, they have seen fairness, and they have seen exactly what they have always been praying for in Nasarawa State. They believe that the APC, the Governor, and the President are very fair in what they are doing, and that is why they are joining us,” he explained.
Offering his own assessment of the defections, Sule said the APC’s growing appeal in Nasarawa is rooted in the administration’s developmental strides. He said the government had exceeded its own expectations by delivering major infrastructure projects without resorting to borrowing, citing the Karu development project as a key example of initiatives that have improved traffic flow, stimulated economic activity and earned widespread public commendation.
“We are developing the state like never before. In fact, our mantra is “exceeding all expectations.” By our own standard, we have exceeded even our own expectations of what we can do in the state. What is responsible for that? One reason is that we have received more resources than we ever thought. We are building more than we ever thought. We are not borrowing for all the development we are doing. One of the biggest developments is just across the window from you in Karu. I have received more commendation on that Karu project—to reduce traffic and improve economic activities—than we have ever received anywhere else. We are doing things that even we didn’t think we would be able to do, and that is why people are excited,” he said.
On concerns that the influx of new members could alienate long-standing APC loyalists, Sule acknowledged that increased membership naturally brings heightened competition for political positions, but maintained that such contests are a sign of the party’s growing popularity.
“Anytime you have this kind of gathering—because right now, 31 governors coming into one room, there is only one position for the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, yet there will be at least five or six people showing interest. It is the same thing down the line. The moment you continue to see that… For instance, we had close to 20 people contesting for the office of the governor under the APC, while no other party had even five. These are the kinds of things you are going to see, so you will see this implosion of interest. That is what is happening.”
On allegations surrounding the alleged withdrawal of ₦800 billion from the state governors’ account, Sule said the matter is already under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and urged the public to await the outcome.
He maintained that the information available to him indicated the issue was not related to deductions from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations but concerned payments made to a consultant, stressing that no conclusions should be reached until the investigation is concluded.
“The EFCC, based on the knowledge I have, is currently investigating that matter. However, I don’t think it is from FAAC, so let me correct that.
“The information that some of us as governors received has to do with some kind of agency fee paid based on deductions. Let me clarify that; that is the information we received. I can categorically tell you that I have heard from officials—from some governors and some officials of the EFCC—that it is something being investigated. I can tell you that for free.”
“No, I didn’t confirm there was a deduction. You said there was a FAAC deduction, and I said the information I received is that it was not even a deduction from FAAC. What I received is that some payments actually went to a consultant. That is what I received,” he insisted.
Reflecting on his legacy ahead of leaving office in May 2027, Sule said he hopes to be remembered for transforming Nasarawa State into a more united, visible and industrialised state. He said his administration has laid the foundation for sustained economic growth, enhanced the state’s profile and fostered greater political cohesion, describing Nasarawa as “a diamond in the rough” that has now been polished for the world to see.
“I want to be remembered for bringing the state out of the woods. It is a diamond in the rough; we have now washed the diamond, and people can see it clearly. Nasarawa State is now more visible, more united, and more industrial.
“We have reduced opposition to a minimum, thereby unifying the state. Our opposition now is mostly within our own party—people who feel shortchanged or unhappy that they lost an election. There is no real opposition from the outside. The state is more united, more industrialized, and has clearer prospects. Those are the things I want to be remembered for,” he said.
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