Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on Monday officially received Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, back into the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing his return as a sign of renewed confidence in the ruling party.

The event, held at the Government House Banquet Hall in Lafia, followed Wadada’s formal visit to the APC State Secretariat on Shendam Road earlier on Monday.

Governor Sule, while addressing party stakeholders, commended the APC leadership in the state for their commitment and hard work, which, he said, had begun to yield visible results.

“I want to congratulate our party chairman, Dr. Aliyu Bello, and members of the State Working Committee for the good work you are doing,” Sule said. “You have done so much, and even though not everybody will see it, the results are speaking for themselves.”

Welcoming Wadada back to the party, the governor praised his courage and political maturity, saying: “I want to congratulate Distinguished Senator Wadada because if he so wished, he could still remain in his party and challenge us. But he decided to join us. Who will see such a person and not wish for him to join? Therefore, I am giving you the broom immediately.”

Sule expressed optimism that the APC remains the party to beat, citing the growing number of defectors across the country. “Every time the Progressive Governors meet, we are welcoming new governors and leaders into our party,” he said. “No governor is leaving APC. Instead, they are aligning with the courageous policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He further thanked members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly who had returned to the party, noting that APC’s strength in the House had grown from nine to fifteen members.

Speaking earlier, Senator Wadada said his return to APC was a homecoming to a political family he helped build. “I am here to tell you I have returned to my home — the home I labored for, the home I served, and the home I contributed to its growth and development,” he declared.

The senator, who was elected under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), acknowledged Governor Sule’s leadership style and the peaceful atmosphere in the state as key factors in his decision.

“Your Excellency, no matter how much they love Wadada, if the state was not in peace, or if your style of stewardship was not uniting, we wouldn’t be here today,” Wadada said. “In 2019, when it happened, I told myself that there is nothing I have that A.A. Sule does not have to do much more than I would do. You did not disappoint me, nor the people of Nasarawa State.”

He added that his defection was not out of desperation but alignment with the governor’s vision. “Life is about movement. We moved, we retrieved, we balanced, and we are back,” he said.

On his part, the APC State Chairman, Dr. Aliyu Bello, dismissed insinuations that the party was weakened by past defections, saying all those who left to contest elsewhere remained “true members” of the APC.

“Fortunately for Engineer Sule, all the seats that were lost by APC were also won by APC because those who left were still members of the party,” Bello said. “Our party remains strong because of the leadership direction and development strides of His Excellency.”

Bello reaffirmed the party’s loyalty to Governor Sule, adding, “When we say Mujemuha, what we mean is total submission to Engineer Sule. We are talking about 100 percent support for our leader.”

He urged all aspirants to embrace unity ahead of future elections, pledging a level playing field for everyone.

“As a leader, I will not join issues with anyone again. The party remains open to all who wish to join, and by the grace of God, APC will continue to be the party to beat,” Bello stated.

The event was attended by top government officials, members of the State House of Assembly, royal fathers, women groups, and party supporters across the state. (Daily Sun)