When the founder of Keffi Polo Ranch in Nasarawa state and a two-term member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Sarki Yakin Keffi), decided many years ago to venture into the game of polo, little did he know that one day he will ride on the platform of this horse to realise his political ambition.
He dabbled in the game of horse riding as a matter of hobby and held it in high esteem in line with his passion and conviction. But shortly after, Wadada has distinguished himself in the game which endeared him to the hearts of many people, especially polo lovers, across the world. They are proud of his uncommon passion, commitment and playing skills that stand him out and brought him closer to those that matter in the society within and outside the country.
Wadada’s passion for the game and the love of his people in his characteristic manner of always giving back to his society and contributing his quota to the development of Nasarawa state, and his community, motivated him to introduce polo in Nasarawa state – Keffi Polo Ranch and his polo team of Keffi pony, which he captains.
The ranch, since its establishment in 2015, has continued to impact on the development of Nasarawa state. It hosts the Keffi International Polo Tournament twice every year. The competition attracts foreign investors, polo players across the world, captains of industry, traditional rulers, political leaders and other stakeholders to the state. The money generated from the bi-annual tournament is used to support education and the less privileged in the state.
When Hon. Wadada was making all these sacrifices for the sake of his people and development of the state as a whole, he didn’t have an inkling that he will need this horse to take him to the Senate of the Federal Republic. But today he is not only comfortably riding on his horse as Social Democratic Party, SDP, senatorial candidate for Nasarawa west but the horse has also cleared all obstacles on his way to the Senate.
Since Wadata mounted his horse and discarded the broom, the political direction of Nasarawa west has changed radically. Many people in the zone have embraced the horse party in solidarity with Wadada as his candidature continues to attract the support and endorsement of his people who adjudge him as the most competent, experienced, popular and acceptable candidate to represent them at the red chamber in June 2023.
Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, a recurrent decimal and a household name in Nasarawa politics, is a lion hearted politician reputed for his vibrancy, humane disposition, political sagacity, intellectual prowess and ability to flex his political muscles. He has written his name on the sands of time.
A graduate of business administration, Wadada came to Nasarawa politics by storm and continues to take it by storm. He came into the political battlefield of Nasarawa state in 2003 from the private sector after serving for many years when he resigned his lucrative appointment with “Vision Technology’ to answer the clarion call by his people to vie for the House of Representatives seat for Keffi/Karu/Kokona, defeating the then incumbent Hon. Salisu Raj.
As a federal lawmaker from 2003-2011 Wadada was adjudged as the most performing legislator in the history of the constituency with his legacies and footprints felt not only in his constituency but across Nasarawa state as a whole. The Chairman, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) Ltd, also sponsored many bills and motions that helped to stabilise the country’s nascent democracy, fast tracked development, addressed national challenges and ensured transparency and accountability in government. The bills include Tobacco Control Bill 2004, Federal Capital Territory Development Agency Bill 2000, Chartered Institute of Capital Market Registration Bill 2005, Investment and Securities Tribunal Bill 2006, FCT Satellite Towns Development Commission Bill, among many others.
As the pioneer chairman House committee on capital market for over seven years and member of various committees such as national security and intelligence, media and publicity, FCT, sports, energy, police affairs, among others, Wadada initiated many legislative reforms which stabilised the economy, thus endearing him to the hearts of his colleagues who nicknamed him Mr Capital Market.
It is therefore not surprising that unlike other politicians in the state whose popularity have waned, Wadada’s popularity in Nasarawa politics continues to rise. He would have been the governor of Nasarawa state by now but for some extraneous considerations. Even with the set back in 2019, Wadada chaired Governor Abdullahi Sule Campaign Council to deliver the governor and all APC candidates in the state in the 2019 election. He continued to contribute his quota to the victory of the party and development of the state until enemies of progress succeeded to hijack the party .
Wadada’s support base in Nasarawa state and western zone today cuts across political parties such as APC, PDP, SDP, NNPP, among others, especially the masses who continue to rally round his candidature as his horse continues to penetrate all the nooks and crannies of Nasarawa west, making him the choice candidate of most voters in Nasarawa west; too strong to dare or match by other candidates, let alone stop him in this month’s election.
Abari writes from Lafia, Nasaraws state via [email protected]
Wadada’s horse-ride to the Senate
