Mr Viral
As political activities quietly gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, politicians across Nigeria are already reaching out to associates, party stalwarts and influential networks to test the waters and consolidate their political aspirations. This is to be expected, for politics is fundamentally about aligning one’s personal ambition with the broader hopes and interests of the people whose support one seeks.
In Nasarawa state, the past six years have witnessed a commendable period of focused leadership and progressive governance under the incumbent Governor Abdullahi A. Sule. His administration has expanded the frontiers of development across critical sectors, from infrastructure and education to agriculture and industrialisation. By many accounts, Nasarawa has not had it this good in terms of purposeful governance in recent times.
However, in spite of these developmental strides, insecurity remains a persistent challenge in the state. This concern is particularly urgent given Nasarawa’s strategic location – it shares borders with Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna, areas frequently associated with communal unrests, farmer-herder clashes, banditry, and other violent crimes. Nasarawa itself is no stranger to such incursions and instability, having recorded its own share of communal skirmishes, armed attacks and kidnappings at various times in recent years.
What makes the situation even more sensitive is Nasarawa’s proximity to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Any breakdown of law and order in Nasarawa could have a spillover effect on the seat of Nigeria’s federal government. In fact, one can say that when Nasarawa sneezes, Abuja catches cold. Therefore, securing Nasarawa is not just a local imperative; it is a national priority.
Moreover, Nasarawa sits at the heart of the North Central region, which is not only Nigeria’s agricultural belt but also rich in untapped solid mineral resources. For the region to fulfill its economic potential, the environment must be stable, secure, and conducive for investment to thrive. This underscores the need for leadership with a firm grasp of both security and development dynamics.
It is against this backdrop that the reported interest of former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, in the 2027 governorship race has been received with optimism and excitement. Adamu is not just a seasoned and tested law enforcement professional; he is a man of intellect, capacity, and international repute. With a sterling career that saw him rise to the top of the Nigeria Police Force and serve as Vice President of Interpol, he is loaded with a wealth of experience in intelligence, security coordination, and crisis management.
As serving IGP, Mohammed Adamu championed reforms in intelligence-led policing, led the formation of Operation Puff Adder that frightened off highway criminals along Abuja-Kaduna road corridor, strengthened community policing, and revitalized inter-agency cooperation to combat terrorism, banditry, and violent crimes across the country. He is widely credited with pioneering community policing models that prioritised local solutions and grassroots engagement in tackling insecurity – an approach that would prove invaluable in a state as diverse as Nasarawa.
For any community to thrive, peace and security must be assured. Development does not happen in a vacuum. It is for this reason that the people of Nasarawa State should consider themselves fortunate that a personality of Adamu’s calibre, competence, and national exposure has indicated interest in offering himself for service.
Mohammed Adamu has proven his ability to manage men, resources, and complex security challenges. Bringing that same capacity to governance in Nasarawa could redefine what leadership means in the North Central region.
As 2027 approaches, the conversation in Nasarawa must go beyond politics as usual. The moment demands a leader who understands the terrain, who commands respect within national and international security circles, and who can guarantee peace while building on the development foundation already laid. That leader, by all indications, may well be Mohammed Adamu.
For any politician to make a meaningful impact – both in their political career and in the lives of the people they aspire to serve -they must possess a proven track record of service, competence, and leadership. Mere ambition is not enough; what counts is the depth of experience, the quality of decisions made under pressure, and the ability to transform vision into tangible outcomes.
In this regard, Mohammed Adamu’s profile reads like the ideal résumé. From his distinguished service as Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police to his international pedigree as a former Vice President at Interpol, Adamu brings to the table a rare combination of intellectual capacity, security expertise, and administrative experience. His career trajectory is defined not just by titles held, but by results delivered… especially in areas that matter most to governance: peace, order, and stability.
Simply put, he is not just another aspirant; he is a tested technocrat and a consummate public servant whose pedigree aligns seamlessly with the urgent needs of a state like Nasarawa.
In today’s Nigeria, a governor must be more than a ceremonial leader or a development planner; he must not be the chief security officer for the fun of it but a strategist who must be proactive and think outside the box for the safekeeping of his domain. He must inspire confidence in the citizens, elicit cooperation from federal agencies, and understand the terrain, both geographically and psychologically.
Mohammed Adamu has done this before; he can do it again… this time not in uniform but outside of it in the service to the people of Nasarawa state as their Governor. For a state that finds itself at the intersection of insecurity and massive opportunity, there is no better time and no better man.
Arda is an Abuja-based political commentator.
