TOTO, Nasarawa State, September 13, 2025 — Jungle-Journalist.Com
Ahead of the 2027 Nasarawa State governorship election, political stakeholders in Toto Local Government have called on Dr. Shuaib Faisal, former CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, to withdraw from the race in favor of Dr. Musa Muhammed Maikaya.
The stakeholders said their position is part of ongoing political alignment aimed at consolidating support behind Maikaya, whom they described as a “favored candidate” with proven grassroots appeal across all 13 local government areas of the state.
Maikaya, a philanthropist and well-known politician, is widely recognized for his contributions to education and social welfare through the award-winning Maikaya Development Foundation, which provides scholarships and health insurance support to vulnerable groups in Nasarawa.
Reacting to a recent meeting held at the Umaisha Administrative Council where some individuals reportedly urged traditional rulers to persuade Maikaya to support Faisal’s ambition, the group criticized the move, dismissing it as stage-managed and politically misguided.
They argued that Faisal, despite his background in public health, lacks political presence and does not have a support base across the three senatorial districts of the state. In contrast, they maintained that Maikaya is more accessible and widely accepted.
“We urge Faisal to refrain from playing a spoiling game, as the forthcoming struggle transcends Toto. If he believes he has the qualities to be governor, let him promote his own candidacy and stop dragging Maikaya into divisive politics,” the stakeholders said.
They further described Maikaya as a “thoroughbred and detribalised Nigerian” with a strong record of service, citing his foundation’s continued efforts to uplift communities across the state.
The group also warned the All Progressives Congress (APC), traditional rulers, and the people of Toto LG against pressuring Maikaya to step down, stressing that similar political miscalculations in the last chairmanship election weakened the APC in the area and empowered the opposition.
The statement was signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammed Abubakar and Mallam Saidu Usman, both identified as leaders of the Toto LG Stakeholders.