From Abel Zwanke, Lafia
Prominent youth groups across Nasarawa State have called for calm and restraint among citizens, particularly the youth, as political activities and speculations intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship elections.
The appeal was made on Friday during a one-day interactive session with the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, held at the VIP Lodge, Akwanga.
Speaking at the event, the State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Solomon John Damina, urged young people to avoid unnecessary political agitation, stressing that the decision on who succeeds Governor Abdullahi Sule lies with him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership.
“As far as the 2027 governorship election in Nasarawa State is concerned, we urge our teeming youths to remain calm and avoid tension until Governor Abdullahi Sule decides,” Damina said.
Similarly, the Speaker of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Nasarawa State Chapter, Rt. Hon. Habiba Umar Iliyasu, advised youths to allow the political process to unfold naturally without pressure or division.
“Until Governor Abdullahi Sule decides, the trajectory of our state’s political future is still unfolding. We must allow due process to take its course without undue agitation,” she added.
Representatives from various tribal, religious, and student organizations also echoed the same sentiment, emphasizing unity and peace over political rivalry.
“Politics should not divide us. We must remain peaceful and support whoever Governor Sule endorses, in line with party legitimacy and due process,” the youth leaders jointly stated.
According to the groups, their call for restraint followed growing political maneuvering and early campaign activities among aspirants within the ruling APC, which they warned could create unnecessary tension across the state.
In his address, Commissioner Yakubu commended the youths for their maturity and commitment to peace. He said the interactive session, organized in collaboration with the NYCN and other youth bodies, aimed to promote unity and political tolerance under the slogan: “Until A.A. Sule Decides, Every Youth Should Remain Calm.”
Yakubu cautioned that excessive political agitation could threaten the peace and development achieved under Governor Sule’s administration.
“The Governor has consistently called for patience and caution, urging everyone to remain calm until the appropriate time as stipulated by the electoral timetable,” he noted.
He further advised youths to focus on productive ventures that contribute to state development, hinting that discussions continue within the Nasarawa Northern Zone over calls for Governor Sule to contest the Nasarawa North Senatorial seat in 2027.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, praised the initiative, saying it would help reduce political tension across the state.
“Wisdom dictates that we remain calm until Engr. A.A. Sule decides. His experience and prudence will guide him in making the right decision for Nasarawa’s future,” Dr. Alhassan remarked.
The event drew participants from diverse groups, including the Nasarawa State Youth Empowerment Agency, Mada Development Association, Eggon Youth Association, Rindre Youth Association, Nigerian Youth Parliament, CAN, JNI, and several student unions and social media influencers.
The next interactive session is scheduled for the Western Zone, with the final leg to be held in the Southern Zone.
The meeting ended with a unanimous resolution reaffirming the collective commitment of Nasarawa youths to maintain peace and patience “until Governor Abdullahi Sule decides” on his preferred successor for the 2027 elections.
