The former Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, and a frontline governorship aspirant in Nasarawa State, has formally withdrawn from the governorship race of the 2027 general polls, amid alleged pressure from party stakeholders in the state.
Speaking at a world press conference in Lafia, the state capital, Dr. Shuaib explained that his decision to voluntarily withdraw from the governorship race followed due consultation with his supporters and loyalists across the 13 local government areas of the state and to exercise the spirit of integrity and responsibility as a statesman.
Our correspondent reports that his withdrawal comes two days after he held a mega rally in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, which supporters defied heavy rain to attend as he concluded his statewide consultations on whether to continue or step aside after Governor Abdullahi Sule picked Senator Ahmed Wadada as his preferred successor.
His words: “I gave my word that I would support whomever His Excellency Governor Abdullahi A. Sule presented as his preferred candidate. That word was not given for the easy day. It was given precisely so it would hold on the difficult one. And so today, painful as it is, it must hold.”
“My years in the health sector taught me that public service is rarely about the loudest voice in the room. It is about the willingness to do unglamorous work over long stretches of time, often without applause, sometimes without thanks. That is the spirit in which I joined this contest. It is the spirit in which I leave it.”
“Accordingly, I am formally withdrawing from the contest for the APC gubernatorial ticket in Nasarawa State. I throw my full weight, the weight of my structure, and the weight of my conviction behind the preferred candidate of the Governor, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada. The strength we have built across this state remains intact, and it stands ready to serve the journey ahead,” an emotion-laden Dr. Shuaib stated.
The former NPHCDA boss said his structure remains intact to stand behind the governor’s preferred successor, Wadada, pledging allegiance to the movement.
He, however, applauded his supporters for remaining steadfast through the odds in the struggle for the actualisation of a new vision for the state, urging them to rally round Wadada to move the nation’s solid minerals hub forward.
“I am deeply humbled by the collective strength behind this movement: the young, the old, the sick and the healthy, people living with disabilities, students, hardworking men and women across the length and breadth of our dear state.
“I am especially moved by the prayers of young children, offered day and night, and by the overwhelming support from far and near reaching out to all and sundry to appreciate and believe in the vision of this aspiration.
“Your dedication to telling our story, shaping the narrative, and ensuring that this vision reaches every home has been instrumental in building and strengthening this movement. I know this decision will land hard,” he consoled the teary crowd.
Dr. Shuaib extolled the administration of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that hard decisions being taken would eventually yield positive results.
Our correspondent further observed that the venue turned emotional as supporters and stakeholders went into tears over the development.
Meanwhile, aggrieved stakeholders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress in the Southern Senatorial Zone of Nasarawa State have urged Dr. Faisal Shuaib not to abandon his 2027 governorship ambition ahead of the party’s primaries.
At a mega rally in his support in Lafia, one of the notable stakeholders, Abdullahi Magaji, noted that the governor’s decision to support an aspirant should not stop others from contesting the governorship position in 2027.
He said that despite Governor Sule’s endorsement of Aliyu-Wadada, who currently represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, they remain fully behind the former NPHCDA boss due to his track record in politics and governance.
Our correspondent reports that if Shuaib agrees to continue in the race, he would participate in the direct primaries of the party slated for May 21, 2026, alongside Senator Aliyu-Wadada, former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu, among others.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the rally, Magaji reiterated that the governor’s endorsement does not preclude other aspirants from contesting.
He added that Dr. Faisal Shuaib had contributed meaningfully to the growth and development of the state even before joining active politics, hence their continued support for his ambition.
He also commended the party leadership for adopting direct primary elections, describing it as a return of power to the people.
He expressed optimism that the development would eliminate fears of candidate imposition and provide an opportunity for politicians to test their popularity.
His words: “Dr. Faisal Shuaib has done a lot for the people of Nasarawa State, and we feel that if he becomes the governor in 2027, he will do better for the people. He has all that we need in a leader. He is a servant-leader who is experienced, grassroots-based and people-centric.
“Despite the current political happenings in the state, we as stakeholders of the party from the Southern zone of the state are here to encourage him not to give up because we have great confidence in his abilities to take Nasarawa State to greater heights.”
Adding her voice, Amina Sani, a 76-year-old woman leader, expressed confidence in Shuaib’s leadership capability and urged youths to support competent leaders.
“I have seen this, my brother, as a good man who can do it. He is not just saying it, but he is trustworthy. So, we will be with him till the end.
“You can see how we all walked in the rain despite the downpour. Our love for him is total and unconditional because at my age, I am not after money but sustainable leadership for my grandchildren,” she stated.
Our correspondent reports that during the event, attended by over 5,000 supporters of the DFS campaign team, Shuaib expressed appreciation to residents of the state for their support and belief in his leadership.
He commended APC stakeholders and supporters for defying the torrential rain to welcome him to the Southern zone as he concluded his statewide consultation tour.
Addressing the crowd, Shuaib said the visit was not for campaigning but to appreciate the people for their unwavering support.
“This time again, I have to thank each and every one of you for your support, thank our leaders, and assure you that better days are ahead. I have heard your calls. I thank you very sincerely, and I will respond accordingly as soon as possible,” he stated.
Our correspondent further reports that the former NPHCDA boss had earlier visited Akwanga LGA, headquarters of the Northern zone, to consult supporters and appreciate their loyalty.
By Umar Muhammed
Follow us on:
