“He Bit the Finger That Fed Him”: Abari Slams Sule Over Betrayal of Almakura

By Emmanuel Kwada

Prominent APC chieftain and critic Muazu Abari has launched a scathing attack on Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, accusing him of gross ingratitude and political betrayal against his political benefactor, Senator Umaru Tanko Almakura, whom he described as the architect of modern Nasarawa State and the man who propelled Sule to the governorship.

In a strongly worded statement, Abari declared that Governor Sule has finally shed his “pretending toga” and drawn a battle line against the man who handed him victory “on a platter of gold” despite his limited political clout at the time.

“Sule’s decision to throw decency away… is one of the ironies of Nigeria’s politics,” Abari stated. He argued that without Almakura’s influence, sacrifices, and political machinery, Nasarawa State would not have become an APC state, and Sule would not have occupied the Government House on Shendam Road, Lafia.

Abari’s outburst follows Governor Sule’s recent appearances on Arise Television and Channels Television, during which the governor made remarks widely perceived as critical of Senator Almakura.

According to Abari, Sule described the former governor as suffering from “depression and frustration,” accused him of “mixing privilege with right,” and made contradictory statements—first claiming Almakura did not make him governor, then acknowledging him as a political mentor who has no right to dictate his successor.

Abari described these comments as “highly disrespectful, senseless and the highest form of ingratitude.” He reminded the governor that his political history “is inconsequential and will forever remain incomplete” without the pivotal role played by Almakura.

The critic traced the frosty relationship between the two leaders to years of alleged underground conspiracy and sabotage by Sule against his benefactor. He posed several pointed questions: Where was Sule when Almakura was being witch-hunted, arrested, and detained while fighting PDP misrule?

Where was Sule when Almakura chose impeachment rather than surrender the people’s mandate?

What were Sule’s contributions to the state before 2019?

Abari alleged that Sule worked against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the APC presidential primaries in favour of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, while Almakura supported Tinubu. He claimed Sule even attempted to snatch Almakura-controlled delegates. Despite these tensions, Abari said Almakura showed maturity and statesmanship.

He further accused Sule of instigating the Nasarawa State House of Assembly against Almakura over decisions taken during the latter’s administration and working against his return to the Senate.

According to Abari, Sule only survived his own re-election battle through the Supreme Court and the intervention of Almakura and other party stakeholders.

Abari highlighted what he called Sule’s penchant for double standards. He recalled the governor’s earlier statements that he would not seek a second term and would return to America, and that he would not contest for Senate—positions Sule appears to have reversed, with reports of his senatorial nomination forms already being processed by proxy.

“This penchant for double standard and talking from both sides of his mouth is long known to the people of Nasarawa State,” Abari said, adding that Sule’s recent attacks on Almakura would only further endear the senator to the people.

Abari insisted that the current crisis rocking the Nasarawa State chapter of the APC, which has polarised the party into two antagonistic camps, is not primarily about the gubernatorial ambitions of individuals such as “Wadada” or IGP Mohammed Adamu Abubakar (rtd). Instead, he attributed it to “erosion of confidence, betrayal of trust, political backstabbing,” lack of inclusive leadership, and failure to provide a level playing field for aspirants.

The statement underscores the deep divisions within the ruling party in Nasarawa State as political calculations for the 2027 general elections intensify.

Senator Umaru Tanko Almakura remains a dominant figure in Nasarawa and national APC politics, having played a key role in the party’s formation and the state’s political realignment. Governor Abdullahi Sule, who is in his second term, has yet to respond directly to Abari’s latest salvo.

Political observers say the public fallout could further weaken the APC’s cohesion in the state ahead of future elections.