Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, representing Nasarawa West, has signalled a political homecoming to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and made no attempt to hide where his 2027 loyalties lie.
Speaking to newsmen after a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) lawmaker lauded the President’s policies, declared the “space already taken” for the next election, and challenged opposition hopefuls to present a better plan for Nigeria.
“Between now and 2031, anybody can say what they wish,” Wadada said. “But the reality is that the seat is occupied by President Tinubu. Among those eyeing it, I haven’t seen anyone with the courage or ideas to do better, whether on subsidy removal, foreign exchange reforms, or infrastructure.”
The senator, who once served as a national officer in both the PDP and APC, stressed that his move to the SDP was “purely circumstantial” and that the party had “not offended” him.
Leaving no doubt about his political direction, Senator Wadada said: “I could even say I am APC already, though not officially. Life is dynamic. Politics is dynamic.”
Wadada also praised President Tinubu’s push for massive road projects such as the Sokoto–Badagry and Abuja–Kano highways, and credited him with driving the Federal Capital Territory’s transformation.
He said, “When you see a masquerade dancing in the daytime, there’s someone drumming. In the FCT, the drummer is President Tinubu.”
The lawmaker also threw a jab at the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other contenders.
“Let them tell us what’s in their kitty, not just baseless criticisms. We’re talking about Nigeria, not sectional politics. President Tinubu is President of Nigeria, not of Lagos or the Southwest.”
Relatedly, Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, on Tuesday openly backed President Tinubu for re-election in 2027, declaring: “Tinubu is my friend, 22 years and counting, and I won’t deny him a second opportunity.”
Soludo, who met the President separately at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, said he was impressed by Tinubu’s “bold steps” in economic and structural reforms, insisting Nigeria needed to “stay the course.”
“I don’t need to quiver about who he is. He’s my friend, and I support him,” the governor said, brushing aside partisan lines. He urged all parties that claim to be progressive to form a “massive coalition” for national development.
On insecurity in Anambra, Soludo revealed that his administration’s kinetic and non-kinetic strategy had driven “deadly native doctors,” accused of aiding criminality, out of the state.
“These were the guys giving false hope and luring our young ones into crime. They are now on the run,” he said.
The governor highlighted his youth empowerment push, training 5,000 young people in skills acquisition and preparing to disburse billions to another 8,700 beneficiaries this month or next.
“We are creating several thousand youth millionaires in three years,” Soludo said. “We’re fixing schools, hospitals, roads, and tackling hardship head-on. Those who run foul of the law will be decisively dealt with.”
