BY Muhammad Surajo Lafiya
The ancient town of Doma, headquarters of Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, was on Saturday agog as a large crowd of supporters gathered to receive former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Ali Ari, following his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The reception brought together political associates, SDP supporters and candidates, as well as other stakeholders who converged on the town to formally welcome the former police chief into his new political fold.
Ari was received by his former boss, retired Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu, who is the SDP governorship candidate in Nasarawa State for the 2027 general elections.
Both Adamu and Ari were previously members of the APC, where they pursued different political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.
While Adamu contested the APC governorship primary, Ari had sought the party’s ticket to represent Nasarawa South Senatorial District.
Following the emergence of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as the APC governorship candidate, Adamu left the party and joined the SDP, where he subsequently emerged as its governorship candidate.
Adamu had alleged irregularities in the conduct of the APC governorship primary, a claim that formed part of his explanation for leaving the party. The allegations have been disputed by members and supporters of the APC.
Ari, on his part, withdrew from the race for the Nasarawa South Senate seat shortly before the APC primary, citing what he described as the party’s perceived body language ahead of the contest.
The Senate race subsequently featured other aspirants, including the present Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, as well as Hon. Nalaraba and Hon. Tanko Zubairu who is now the House of Representatives Candidate for Accord Party for Awe Keana and Doma Federal Constituency, among others.
After leaving the APC, Ari later announced his decision to join the SDP and align with his former boss.
Speaking at the reception in Doma, Adamu described the large turnout as an indication of the level of support for the SDP in the area.
He assured the people of Doma that the party, if given the opportunity to serve, would prioritise good governance and development.
Adamu, however, clarified that the gathering was not the formal commencement of the party’s campaign, but primarily an occasion to receive Ari and his supporters into the SDP, during the formal campaign, the party will announce all it party candidates.
In his remarks, Ari appealed to the people of Doma and Nasarawa State to support the SDP, saying such support would enable the party to deliver what he described as meaningful dividends of democracy.
The event attracted SDP candidates contesting various elective positions, political associates and a large number of supporters.
Among those present was Hon. Muhammad Sarki Dahiru, representing Lafia-Obi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, who is also the SDP candidate for the Nasarawa South Senatorial District.
The gathering further underscored the political realignments taking place in Nasarawa State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with former political allies and aspirants repositioning themselves across different parties.
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