Political commentator Babajide Kolade-Otitoju has criticised the emergence of a consensus candidate in Nasarawa State, warning that no governor has the authority to unilaterally impose a preferred aspirant on a political party.
Reacting to recent developments within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Kolade-Otitoju argued that internal party decisions must reflect the collective will of stakeholders, not the preference of a single political office holder.
“A governor cannot unilaterally impose a preferred candidate on a party. The choice must belong to the members, the stakeholders, and the full ecosystem of power brokers who make a state governable,” he said.
He referenced former Nasarawa State governor Tanko Al-Makura, noting that the ex-governor’s claim of not being consulted on the consensus arrangement should not be dismissed lightly, given his political influence and record of two-term governance under challenging conditions.
“When a man like Al-Makura, who governed Nasarawa for eight years in the face of a PDP-dominated House of Assembly, says he was not consulted, that is not a minor grievance,” he stated.
Kolade-Otitoju further cited concerns raised by former deputy governor Silas Ali Agara, who also reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the process, describing the situation as a sign of deeper cracks within the party structure.
According to him, such disputes highlight the importance of inclusivity and consultation in internal party politics, warning that imposed decisions could create long-term divisions and weaken political cohesion.
Elijah Adeyemi
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