A Birthday Tribute: Celebrating Governor Sule's Promise Kept and Transformation of Nasarawa.

By Matthew Tukura

“Good Governance is the mainstay and defining essence of democratic government. It is through the process of good governance that the State resources, both human and materials, are harnessed and driven to actualize the policies and programs of government and indeed the aspirations of the general citizenry. We will therefore uphold the principles of good governance as a cardinal objective of this administration. We will establish systems, processes and institutions that will enhance transparency, probity and accountability in the management of State resources in line with international best practices. This is necessary to give our potential investors, both local and foreign confidence to bring their capital and invest in Nasarawa State.”

Those were the definitive words of Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Alhaji Sule, during his inaugural address on 29th May, 2019. The governor, who recently celebrated his 66th birthday, indeed has cause to celebrate. He is gradually turning Nasarawa into an industrial state, walking the talk of his inaugural pledge, and steadfastly keeping the state peaceful.

No doubt, people like the governor have a thousand and one reasons to be celebrated. Freedom fighter late Nelson Mandela of South Africa is celebrated for fighting apartheid, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania for having led his country well, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Aminu Kano, Sir Tafawa Balewa among other Nigerians for providing leadership that was most exemplary. All over the world people are celebrated for good legacies. In our personal life the fact that one is not in the hospital, mortuary and is having the awareness of the happenings around him is worth celebrating.

When the Nigeria civil war came to an end in 1970, Nigerians celebrated. For the crisis-prone communities in Nasarawa State, the coming of Governor Sule turned their nightmare into celebration. On assumption of office, the Governor laid a solid foundation by tackling the security issues bedeviling the state. To effectively build peace, he held series of meetings and consultations with traditional rulers, security agents, opinion leaders, youth and women groups, preaching the sermon of peaceful co-existence. He insisted that without peace, government cannot embark on development projects. This message was greeted with celebrations, and those in conflict sheathed their swords. The people have embraced peace—a clear indication that the peace-building strategy adopted by the governor yielded positive results, paving the way for the infrastructural development now going on across the state.

It is on record that border communities of Nasarawa have had their fair share of crisis with border communities of Benue State. The Governor adopted the strategy of dialogue to resolve conflicts along the Nasarawa and Benue State borders. There were series of meetings of high-powered delegations from the two states and representatives of the National Boundary Commission. The resolutions from these meetings are being implemented, and there has been relative peace in the once conflict-prone communities. Today, residents can go to bed with both eyes closed. Farmers and border communities are back in the field tilling the land because their safety is guaranteed. In one meeting in Benue, Governor Sule declared that “the primary duty of government is to protect lives and property of the people whose collective mandate the few in government hold in trust. No political aspiration, no political ambition is worth the lives of any person.” In response, Governor Samuel Ortom described Engineer Sule as a man who loves peace and is willing to sustain it.

The chief steward, on assumption of office, also set up a 12-man committee that restructured the state civil service. He listened to the challenges facing civil servants, and today many unimplemented promotions have been executed, with civil servants enjoying the benefits since August, 2021.

On abandoned projects, he said “I see no reason why I should start many new projects where there are many uncompleted ones. These projects are being done with public funds, so the ideal thing to do is to complete them irrespective of who takes the credit” (June 12, 2020). He further stated, “for me after the election I have forgotten about who voted for who as far as am concerned you are all for me and am here to care for you” (August 12, 2020). The fresh ideas the Gudi-born prince is injecting into politics demonstrate that he is a political disciple of the late Waziri Ibrahim’s mantra of “politics without bitterness.” The completion of the Government House Banquet Hall—started by the late PDP Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma and named after him—is a living testimony. This singular act has wooed men of timber and caliber from the main opposition party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The administration has maintained periodic free medical treatment across the state. Governor Sule remains a humble person, not drunk on power. He maintains the simple demeanor he had before his election. With humility in governance, he moves around with a minimal convoy and does not unnecessarily blare sirens to scare the very people that brought him to power. He sees himself as first among equals, with no inordinate lust for political pleasures. He humbles himself to visit elders, stakeholders, opinion leaders, and interest groups in their homes to discuss issues that can move Nasarawa and the entire country forward. With this character, the Gudi prince, who encourages himself with the motto “exceeding all expectations,” has brought good governance to the doorsteps of his electorate. By delivering on campaign promises, the governor has reviewed upward the payment of pension and gratuity in the state.

Unarguably, the blind cannot see but can feel that a conducive atmosphere has been created in Nasarawa State for its advancement. Being on the public’s watch for how best to enthrone good governance, the reputable Lagos-based organization, Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC), gave him the “Zik Leadership Prize for Good Governance.” Engr. Sule’s style of administration in repositioning the state to its present level of development underscores why he was celebrated by associates and the electorate on his 66th birthday. There have been instances where he has made personal donations for the betterment of humanity. Celebrating the prince of Gudi at 66 on 26th December, 2025, is a celebration of a man truly worth honoring.

At 66, Governor Sule is a leader guiding the people of Nasarawa State to the Promised Land. He is a leader to be celebrated as a prudent manager of scarce resources, whose life is predicated on honesty, integrity, and hard work. Here’s to more graceful years for the man who is exceeding all expectations.

This article was sponsored by the Chairman, Nasarawa State Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Mustapha Aliyu.