Faisal Salisu DambattaAhead of 2027, the clamour for who will succeed incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule has continued to grow, and one name persistently emerges: Ahmed Musa Mohammed, the State Accountant General.
Widely and respectfully recognised as the Baraden Nasarawa, he is increasingly viewed not only as the custodian of the state’s treasury but as the person most prepared to succeed Governor Sule.
His journey from the legislative chamber to the financial nerve centre of the state exemplifies a strong case for continuity, a smooth transition founded on proven integrity, administrative skill, and a thorough understanding of the governor’s development blueprint. The basis of this case rests on a unique combination of experiences.
Before his crucial appointment as Accountant General by Governor Abdullahi Sule in 2023, Dr. Musa Ahmed Mohammed had already carved his name into the state’s political fabric. He served as the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly for two consecutive terms, from 2007 to 2015.
This period was not merely about presiding over debates; it was a time when he refined the art of governance, grasping the delicate balance of power, the importance of inclusive lawmaking, and the crucial need to prioritise the people’s welfare. It granted him grassroots legitimacy and established a political network that remains strong today.
Furthermore, his professional stature is undisputed. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Accounting, is a Fellow of the Chartered National Accountants, and served as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN).
This distinctive blend of experiences: comprehensive legislative knowledge, top-tier professional accounting skills, and practical executive financial management, creates a profile that is difficult to replicate. He is, in essence, a technocrat-politician who understands both the ledgers of accountability and the pulse of the people.
His current role as Accountant General is where theory meets practice and where his loyalty to Governor Sule’s vision is most evident.
Upon his appointment, he pledged to strengthen the governor’s programme of prudence, transparency, and accountability. By all indications, he has been a key pillar in achieving this.
In a recent interview, Mohammed elaborated on how Governor Sule’s prudent management of resources has enabled extensive capital projects, such as the flyovers in Lafia and Akwanga, without financial strain because the governor “cannot set out to do something without planning for it”.
As the state’s chief financial officer, Mohammed plays a central role in this planning process. He attended the signing of the 2026 “Budget of Strategic Consolidation,” where he pledged to strictly follow budgetary rules and ensure transparency in public financial management.
His stewardship is closely connected to the state’s reputation for fiscal discipline, which Governor Sule himself has championed through unprecedented actions such as publicly announcing and refunding money from the federal government for projects. Barade’s office ensures such integrity is institutionalised, fostering a culture of trust that has made Nasarawa an attractive destination for investors.
Perhaps the most convincing argument for Barade’s succession lies in his deep and articulate alignment with the core development philosophy of the Sule administration. He does not merely implement policy; he is its most knowledgeable advocate.
Whenever he speaks, he does so with the authority of an insider who has helped shape the state’s trajectory. He passionately describes the ongoing industrialisation revolution, driven by solid minerals like lithium, where foreign companies are investing hundreds of millions of pounds, and in agriculture, where Nasarawa State and giants like Dangote and Olam have established extensive operations.
He attributes Governor Sule’s background as an engineer and private sector leader to this pragmatic, investment-driven approach.
Barade’s influence spans all sectors, from healthcare renovations and school return programmes to security collaborations that maintain a peaceful environment for business.
His message emphasises continuity, not as simple repetition but as the committed implementation of a strategic long-term plan that is already creating jobs, infrastructure, and national recognition for Nasarawa State.
Certainly, the road to 2027 faces other challengers. The political scene includes figures like Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, who has recently rejoined the APC and brings strong grassroots backing from the Nasarawa West area. This indicates a healthy democratic process ahead.
However, what sets Dr. Musa Ahmed Mohammed apart in this context is the organic nature of his rise. His calls to service are described as a “mature clarion call,” based on integrity and rooted in competence.
His support appears to arise not from a sudden political campaign, but from a long-standing record of service that has earned him respect among communities, trust within the business sector, and the apparent confidence of the current administration. His title of Baraden Nasarawa signifies a bond with the people that predates political ambition.
Furthermore, having been a stabilising force as a speaker and now a diligent executor as Accountant General, he presents a lower risk of disruptive transition. He promises not a new direction but a capable and faithful acceleration of the current, successful course.
Therefore, as Nasarawa State looks beyond the impactful tenure of Governor Sule, the question of succession naturally turns to the man who has been a key part of its recent successes.
Dr. Ahmed Musa Mohammed stands in pole position because he embodies the very principles the administration has championed: professional competence, transparent accountability, and strategic development.
He is a product of the system he seeks to lead, understanding its intricacies from the assembly floor to the governor’s office and the treasury. His potential candidacy is less about ambition and more about the logical next step in a journey of disciplined service.
For a state that has found a winning formula of attracting investment, building infrastructure, and managing resources with integrity, the most prudent way to consolidate and build upon those gains is to entrust them to the proven, prepared, and steady hands of the Baraden Nasarawa.
His leadership would be the strategic consolidation of a legacy, ensuring that the progress Nasarawa enjoys today does not end in 2027 but is firmly secured for the future.
—–Yaki chairs the Nasarawa State Chapter of the Christian Ethnic Group, while Ladan is the Coordinator of the Nasarawa Youth Alliance
