GOVERNOR ABDULLAHI SULE: ENGINEERING PEACE, PROGRESS, AND LEGACY PROJECTS IN NASARAWA STATE

By Tukura Matthew

When Engineer Abdullahi Alhaji Sule stood before an audience at the 2019 BBC Governorship Debate held at the Federal University, Lafia, he spoke with the conviction of a man born to lead.

“I come from a royal house in Gudi. I know what it means to hold and lead people with justice — which is part of the bedrock on which our party stands. Secondly, I have headed big companies in this country. I know how money is used, how money is managed for the good of the people,”

— Engr. A.A. Sule, January 10, 2019.

Those words, spoken before he assumed office, have since found concrete expression in his governance. Six years down the line, Governor Sule has not only kept faith with his promises but has also left indelible footprints across Nasarawa State — from peacebuilding to infrastructure, civil service reforms, and human capital development.

Peace as Foundation for Development:

Upon assuming office in 2019, Governor Sule prioritized peace as the bedrock for development. Through dialogue and diplomacy, he initiated peace meetings with neighbouring Benue State, successfully ending recurring border crises that had long disrupted lives and livelihoods.

During one of such peace meetings in Makurdi, the then-Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, described Sule as “a man who loves peace.” That commitment to peaceful coexistence has since translated into an environment where investors and citizens thrive under stability and security.

Continuity in Governance: Completing What Others Began

In a political culture where new administrations often abandon their predecessors’ projects, Governor Sule chose a different path. Guided by pragmatism and fiscal discipline, he asked a simple but profound question:

“Why should I start new projects when there are uncompleted ones?”

That principle of continuity has defined his administration. From inherited infrastructural works to new signature projects, Sule has proven that leadership is about responsibility, not political showmanship.

Legacy Infrastructure:

Engineering a Modern Nasarawa

Governor Sule’s vision of modernization is visibly represented through his legacy infrastructure projects — one strategically located in each senatorial district of the state.

1. The Lafia Underpass

A marvel of engineering and aesthetics, the Lafia Underpass stands today as a symbol of determination and foresight. Once criticized as an impossible “white elephant project,” it has become a traffic solution and a beauty landmark. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while commissioning the project, lauded Governor Sule for “gradually turning Lafia into a modern capital city.”

2. The Akwanga Underpass

Situated at the heart of Akwanga, the underpass at the Abuja–Wamba–Jos–Lafia intersection has transformed the town’s landscape, boosting mobility and commercial activity.

3. The Keffi Underpass (Ongoing)

At the Total Roundabout in Keffi, another underpass is taking shape — part of Sule’s vision to create modern transport infrastructure across the three senatorial zones.

Through these projects, the governor is not just building structures; he is modelling a new Nasarawa State that competes with older, more developed states in infrastructure and aesthetics.

People-Centered Governance

Beyond physical projects, Governor Sule’s empathy for civil servants and retirees remains one of his strongest legacies. His administration implemented pending promotions with full financial backing, ensured timely payment of pensions, and began clearing the backlog of gratuities — restoring dignity to the state’s workforce.

In the education sector, he has prioritized teacher recruitment and welfare. At an induction course for new secondary school teachers in Lafia, he assured:

“There is enough money to pay your salaries in full. We have the resources to improve your structures and conditions of service.”

He has also improved healthcare delivery through periodic free medical outreaches and revitalized rural roads to link communities to markets and services.

Recognition and National Acclaim

In recognition of his leadership and performance, Governor Sule received the Zik Leadership Award in 2021, becoming the only governor from Northern Nigeria honoured that year. The award underscored his reputation as a disciplined, visionary, and result-oriented leader.

A Statesman’s Legacy

As the fourth civilian governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule has built a legacy rooted in peace, accountability, and development. His administration has strengthened governance institutions, revived public confidence, and proven that with discipline and sincerity, good governance is achievable.

Even political opponents have acknowledged his leadership. A prominent PDP stalwart who defected to the APC summed it up best:

“The only way we can show gratitude to a progressive, focused, and development-oriented government — a government that loves its people — is to join the APC and be part of the movement for a greater Nasarawa State and Nigeria.”

Indeed, time will tell — but Governor Abdullahi Sule’s legacy projects already speak louder than words. They stand as enduring testimony that a good man was here — a leader who governed with purpose, passion, and vision for the future of Nasarawa State.