The Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, Dr. Labaran Magaji, SAN, has explained that his decision to withdraw from the Nasarawa West senatorial race was not forced on him by Governor Abdullahi Sule, but was taken voluntarily in the interest of loyalty, stability and collective political interest.
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Magaji, who spoke in an exclusive interview, said Governor Sule never directed him to step down from the race, contrary to speculations in some quarters.
He explained that after he had indicated interest in recontesting for the Nasarawa West Senate seat, Dr. Faisal Shuaibu and members of his gubernatorial campaign team visited Governor Sule to inform him of Faisal’s decision to withdraw from the governorship race and instead seek support to contest for the Senate seat.
According to him, Governor Sule told the delegation that he would need time to appeal to some of those who had already shown interest in the senatorial contest.
Magaji said when he heard about the meeting and the governor’s intended move, he decided to step down before the governor could approach him.
“Governor Abdullahi Sule never gave me a directive,” he said.
“When I heard the outcome of the meeting and the steps to be taken by my principal, I said to myself, God forbid the day Engr. Abdullahi Sule will beg me for what I am capable of doing to make him happy, and I decided to withdraw my aspiration without letting him talk to me.”
He said his decision was also influenced by the need to remain in government and support the governor as political activities build up ahead of the 2027 elections.
Magaji noted that since the governor and his deputy would also be involved in the coming elections, it was important for him to remain behind and assist in delivering the mandate of the people of Nasarawa State.
“The decision was taken in the broader interest of stability and continuity,” he said.
“I believe that collective interest must always come before personal ambition in politics.”
Reacting to those who described his withdrawal as a rare act of loyalty and discipline in Nigerian politics, Magaji said he did not see it as a sacrifice, but as a responsibility.
He said politics should not only be about contesting positions, but also about strengthening institutions, respecting agreements and preserving unity.
“If my action is seen as loyalty and discipline, then I am grateful because those values are essential for sustainable political growth,” he said.
The SSG admitted that stepping down was not emotionally easy because of the level of support he had received across Nasarawa West, but said leadership requires maturity and sacrifice.
He described Dr. Faisal Shuaibu as a competent technocrat with strong administrative experience, national exposure and the capacity to effectively represent Nasarawa West.
On his relationship with Governor Sule, Magaji said it had been built over the years on mutual respect, trust and a shared commitment to the development of Nasarawa State.
He praised the governor’s leadership style, saying Sule had shown vision in infrastructure, economic growth and constructive engagement.
Speaking on his role as SSG, Magaji said one of his proudest achievements was improving coordination among ministries, departments and agencies to ensure smoother implementation of government policies.
He said his office had strengthened communication within government and promoted accountability, efficiency and prompt decision-making in governance.
Magaji also listed infrastructure development across the three senatorial zones, industrialisation, education, healthcare, security and investment attraction as some of the major achievements of the Sule administration.
According to him, the administration’s efforts have positioned Nasarawa as an emerging economic hub in the North Central region.
He, however, said one of the most challenging aspects of his office was balancing expectations from different sectors while ensuring proper coordination of government activities.
“Governance requires constant engagement, consensus-building and timely responses to emerging issues, which can be very demanding,” he said.
On the state of the All Progressives Congress in Nasarawa, Magaji expressed confidence that the party remains united and focused ahead of 2027.
He said while differences of opinion may arise in any political party, the APC leadership in the state had continued to prioritise dialogue, reconciliation and unity.
Magaji also lamented what he described as the gradual decline of loyalty in Nigerian politics, saying many political actors are now driven mainly by personal interest.
He said stable political institutions cannot be built without loyalty, discipline, integrity and consistency.
On the kind of leaders Nasarawa people should look out for, he urged citizens to support individuals with integrity, competence, humility, vision and commitment to public service.
According to him, leadership should not be based on rhetoric alone, but on capacity, character and the ability to unite people for development.
He said personal ambition must always align with the broader interest of the people and the party, adding that strong political systems can only survive where party supremacy, internal democracy and collective goals are respected.
Magaji further said Nasarawa was gradually producing more technocrats and professionals for leadership, noting that young professionals bring fresh ideas, innovation and energy into governance.
Reflecting on his public service journey, he said the moments that defined him most were those in which he had to take difficult decisions in the interest of peace, unity and development.
He advised young politicians to remain patient, focused and principled, urging them to avoid shortcuts, respect institutions and build relationships based on trust.
“Integrity and loyalty are long-term investments in leadership,” he said.
“Public service should always be driven by values, not desperation for power.”
On the legacy he would like to leave behind, Magaji said he wants to be remembered as someone who contributed to strengthening governance, promoting justice, supporting unity and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
He urged the people of Nasarawa State to remain peaceful, united and hopeful as the 2027 political season approaches.
“Democracy thrives when citizens participate responsibly and leaders place the interests of the people above personal ambitions,” he said.
“Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more prosperous and more united Nasarawa State.”
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