Sule backs ex-AG Kana for Nasarawa west senate seat

By Abubakar Yunusa

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has thrown his weight behind his former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Nasarawa West, in a move that signals early consolidation of political structures ahead of the next election cycle.

The endorsement is widely interpreted as a calculated extension of the governor’s governance philosophy, privileging administrative continuity, legal expertise and trusted political alliances.

Prof. Kana’s rise within both state and national politics has been closely linked to Governor Sule’s political machinery. After serving in the Nasarawa State Executive Council as Attorney General, where he was credited with strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, Kana was propelled to the national stage with the backing of the governor as National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress.

His tenure in that role saw him manage sensitive litigations, provide constitutional guidance, and navigate intra-party disputes during a critical phase in the APC’s evolution. Riding on that performance and sustained political support, Kana was subsequently elevated within the party hierarchy as National Deputy Secretary—further entrenching his influence in the party’s national structure.

Party insiders say Governor Sule’s role in Kana’s progression reflects a deliberate grooming process anchored on competence and loyalty. “From the state executive council to the national secretariat of the APC, Kana’s trajectory has been consistent and structured,” a senior stakeholder noted.

Beyond state-level backing, Prof. Kana is also said to enjoy the support of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside members of the APC’s National Working Committee, a development that could significantly strengthen his candidacy as internal party alignments begin to crystallise.

An accomplished academic, Kana is a Professor of Law and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at Nasarawa State University, a background analysts say reinforces his profile as a technocrat-politician capable of translating policy into legislative outcomes.

In a related political alignment, Kana is also reported to be backing the governorship aspiration of Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, signalling a broader coalition-building effort within the state’s APC structure ahead of the polls.

Observers believe the convergence of executive endorsement, national party support, and academic pedigree places Kana in a strong position as the contest for Nasarawa West begins to take shape. However, his emergence is also expected to recalibrate the ambitions of other aspirants within the district, setting the stage for a potentially competitive primary.

As political momentum gathers, Governor Sule’s endorsement underscores a strategic attempt to retain influence beyond his tenure by projecting a candidate deeply embedded in both governance and party architecture.