*Photo: Former Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI),Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna (right), addressing his supporters during the Western Zone Mega Rally for the 2027 Nasarawa Governorship Elections, held at Emir’s Palace Keffi, Nasarawa State*
Professor Mohammad Sani Haruna, former Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), on Wednesday, formally declared his intention to contest the Nasarawa State governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Speaking at his Western Zone mega rally held at Keffi, attended by a mammoth crowd of supporters and political stakeholders in Nasarawa State, Haruna praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governors of the state and incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule for laying strong foundations for development, peace and stability.
He said following extensive consultations across the state he has decided to offer himself to serve the state in the position of governor come 2027 and called on the party faithful across the state to support him to realise the ambition.
He told the mammoth crowd that, he was going ahead to purchase the APC nomination form and participate in the Governorship primaries of the party on the 21st of May 2026.
He explained that he is contesting based on his exposure and achievements at NASENI which is spread across Nasarawa State and other states of the country, and the only thing he can assure the people of the State is transparent administration and judicious utilization of resources if given the mandate.
“I’m going ahead to purchase the nomination form and will participate in the Governorship primaries, you can be rest assured, what I can promise you is transparent administration and judicious utilization of your resources and keep the trust.
“I urge you to remain peaceful, to be calm, and obey the constituted authority. Learn to be your brothers’ keeper. Fighting, insults, and all kinds of vices that lead to public unrest do not benefit anybody.
Will you vote for me during the forthcoming governorship primaries of the APC?, he asked and the crowd thundered “yes” amid drumming, dancing and jubilation.
“Will you vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2027 presidential elections?” he asked, and the crowd also chorused “yes.”
He said as far as the next governor of Nasarawa State is concerned competence should be the criteria.
“I know I am competent when I was looking for NASENI job as Executive Vice Chairman, “I know I am competent. when I was looking for NASENI job as Executive Vice Chairman, I was employed on merit out of 67 people that contested, wrote examinations and attended interviews for the position. There was no sentiment because merit prevailed,” he said.
The former NASENI boss particularly commended ex-Governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, whom he described as “the architect of modern Nasarawa State.”
“We recall the contributions of His Excellency, our leader and elder statesman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu,” Haruna said.
He added: “We recognise him as the architect of modern Nasarawa State because of the solid foundation he laid for governance, peace and development.”
Haruna also acknowledged the contributions of other former governors of the state, including the late Aliyu Akwe Doma, Senator Tanko Al-Makura and the incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule.
According to him, every administration in the state had contributed in different ways to the growth and stability of Nasarawa.
He said: “We are proud of the roles played by all our former governors and leaders who contributed to the peace, unity and progress of Nasarawa State.”
Speaking on the administration of Governor Sule, Haruna praised the ongoing industrialisation drive, infrastructure expansion and investments in manufacturing and human capital development.
“We wish to expand the industrialisation, the manufacturing economy and the infrastructure expansion that is going on now under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule,” he said.
The governorship aspirant said traditional rulers and political leaders had collectively sustained peace and stability in the state, adding that his administration would continue to strengthen that partnership if elected.
“All these leaders, in collaboration with non-partisan traditional rulers, have played important roles in maintaining peace, progress and stability in the state. If we have your mandate, we intend to continue with this,” he stated.
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Haruna also praised President Tinubu for supporting the development of NASENI and helping to resolve challenges relating to the agency’s statutory funding.
“We cannot speak about the successes recorded without acknowledging the role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in ensuring that issues surrounding the collection of NASENI industrial levy, whic9h forms part of the statutory funding for development, were addressed,” he said.
The former NASENI chief stressed that peace and unity remained critical to development, warning against insecurity and division.
“It is only in an atmosphere of peace, tranquillity and unity that any society can thrive. We know the sorry state of places living under insecurity or conflict. We must not allow such challenges to divide our people,” he said.
Haruna further promised to ensure prudent utilisation of the state’s natural and human resources while prioritising industrial growth, skills acquisition and youth empowerment.
Reflecting on his public service career, he said merit and competence should remain central in governance and public appointments.
He urged his supporters to conduct themselves peacefully as political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election gather momentum in the state.