The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, has formally announced his resignation from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the platform under which he won election into the Senate in 2023.
His exit from the SDP is already stirring political waves across Nasarawa State, with strong indications that he is heading back to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to pursue his long-nurtured ambition of becoming governor in 2027.
Wadada, who currently represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District, made his resignation official in a letter dated August 2025 and addressed to the Chairman of his Tudun Kofa Ward in Keffi Local Government Area.
He explained that the decision was not made in haste but was a direct response to the persistent internal wrangling within the SDP.
Part of his letter read:
“I am writing to notify you of my decision to resign from the Social Democratic Party, effective immediately.
This decision, though painful, has become necessary in light of the lingering internal crises that have engulfed our party.
“These conflicts have resulted in deep divisions and legal disputes, undermining the unity and strength of the SDP.
“I am grateful for the platform and the experiences I gained during my time with the party, but I believe the time has come for me to move on and embrace new political opportunities.”
Senator Wadada’s defection to the SDP in 2022 had been borne out of frustration after he was denied the senatorial ticket of the APC, a party where he was not only a foundation member but also an active mobilizer.
Despite the setback, he contested under the SDP in the 2023 general elections and secured a landslide victory, polling 96,488 votes.
He defeated the APC candidate, Architect Shehu Tukur, who scored 47,717 votes, and Musa Galadima of the PDP, who came third with 46,820 votes.
His ability to triumph over the APC and PDP candidates while contesting on the platform of a smaller party elevated his political profile in Nasarawa and further confirmed his grassroots influence.
A close political ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Wadada is said to have maintained a cordial relationship with the President even during his short stint in the SDP.
Reliable sources revealed that the senator recently held a private meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where discussions reportedly centered on his imminent return to the APC and his governorship ambition.
Political analysts argue that his closeness to Tinubu, coupled with his strong base in Nasarawa West, makes him a formidable force to watch ahead of the 2027 governorship contest.
A two-term former member of the House of Representatives, he has already declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election, which will mark the end of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s tenure.
His decision to realign with the APC is therefore seen as a strategic move to position himself within the ruling party ahead of the succession battle.
Observers believe his defection will not only reshape the political balance in Nasarawa but also deepen internal competition within the APC, as other bigwigs are equally eyeing the governorship seat.
Senator Wadada’s move is coming at a time when the APC is consolidating its hold on power at the national level.
Many believe his return will boost the party’s strength in Nasarawa, particularly in Keffi and the larger Nasarawa West zone, where he commands widespread loyalty.
His ability to mobilize support across party lines also makes him a significant player in the forthcoming political realignments.
While his resignation has effectively ended his brief romance with the SDP, it has also set the stage for what promises to be one of the most closely watched governorship races in Nasarawa State’s history.