Tension Rises in Nasarawa APC Ahead of Primaries Over Lafia Central Political Imbalance
…As aggrieved communities plan protest, accuse ‘four wards’ of monopolising political positions
Tension is mounting within the Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of its forthcoming primaries, as allegations of political marginalisation in Lafia Central Constituency continue to generate controversy.
Communities from parts of the constituency have concluded plans to stage a protest, accusing what they described as the dominance of “Lafia Four Wards” in the distribution of political offices to the detriment of other areas.
The protest, according to its organisers, is intended to draw the attention of Governor Abdullahi Sule, the state APC leadership under Dr. Aliyu Bello, and other critical stakeholders to what they termed “political injustice of the highest order” in Lafia Local Government Area.
The aggrieved groups, largely drawn from the three electoral wards of Akurba, Agyaragu Tofa and Wakwa, popularly referred to as Lafia Three Wards, expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as longstanding exclusion from both elective and appointive positions.
Speaking on behalf of the communities, Alhaji Saleh Jibrin Angulu alleged that the four electoral wards of Ciroma, Gayam, Makama and Zanwa have continued to dominate the political space, occupying the majority of key government positions.
According to him, offices allegedly controlled by the four wards include commissioners, permanent secretaries, the local government chairman, heads of major agencies and institutions, as well as several federal appointments.
He further claimed that the four wards have also enjoyed extended representation at the National Assembly over the years, alongside other strategic political advantages.
In contrast, Angulu said the three wards have been largely excluded, with no significant appointments beyond the level of personal assistants and only minimal elective representation.
He added that for over two decades, the position of local government chairman in Lafia has reportedly rotated exclusively among the four wards, leaving the three wards without meaningful participation in the leadership structure.
The communities are therefore calling on Governor Sule, the APC leadership, the Emir of Lafia, and other stakeholders to urgently intervene and address the imbalance.
They specifically urged that the Lafia Central State Assembly seat in the 2027 elections be zoned to the three wards, arguing that such a move would promote fairness, equity, and inclusiveness.
Angulu maintained that ensuring political balance would not only foster unity among the diverse ethnic groups in the constituency but also strengthen democratic participation and stability within the area.
