Senator Ahmed Wadada Receives Fresh Traditional Title in Nasarawa

 

NASARAWA— Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, has received another traditional title from a royal institution in Nasarawa State, extending a streak of honours bestowed on him by traditional rulers across the state.

The lawmaker, popularly known as Ahmed Wadada, was conferred with the title Tunfafiya Mada by the Chun Mada during a recent palace visit. The title adds to previous honours, including Kaigama-Mama conferred by the Gom-Mama and Iyan Eggon by the Aren Eggon.

The latest recognition has drawn reactions from supporters, many referencing the Hausa expression,

 “Ba a raba Tunfafiya da farin ruwa,”

 used to signify honour, dignity, and admiration. Observers say the repeated honours reflect Wadada’s growing acceptance among traditional institutions and communities in Nasarawa State.

From the House to the Senate

Wadada’s political journey spans over two decades. Born on 15 October 1964 in Keffi, he began his education at Abdu Zanga Primary School, Keffi, before attending Government Secondary School, Miango, Plateau State. He later obtained a National Diploma in Business Administration in 1987 and a Higher National Diploma in 1993 from the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa.

Before entering politics, he worked as a Senior Clerk at United Bank for Africa, a Procurement Officer at Benue Cement Company during NYSC, and as Distribution Manager at Kano Tobacco Distribution Company.

He first won election to the House of Representatives in 2003 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency. He served two consecutive terms until 2011, building a reputation as a vocal and articulate lawmaker. During his second term, he chaired the House Committee on Capital Market and Institutions.

2023 upset and return to APC

After an eight-year stint in the House, Wadada made a failed bid for a third term in 2011. He returned to the political stage in 2022 when he contested the APC primary for Nasarawa West Senatorial District. Alleging irregularities in the delegate list from Keffi and Nasarawa LGAs, he withdrew from the race, resigned from the APC, and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In the February 25, 2023 senatorial election, Wadada polled 96,488 votes to defeat APC’s Shehu Tukur with 47,717 votes and PDP’s Musa Galadima with 46,820 votes. The victory was regarded as one of the major upsets of the 2023 elections, as Nasarawa West is the zone of APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu. 

He currently serves in the 10th National Assembly as Senator for Nasarawa West and chairs the Senate Committee on Public Accounts. He has sponsored bills on agriculture, audit services, land registry, and investment promotion, and is active in committees covering marine transport, ecology, agriculture, and foreign affairs.

Wadada resigned from the SDP in 2025, citing internal crisis and litigation within the party. He has since returned to the APC. 

Governorship ambition for 2027

In August 2025, Governor Abdullahi Sule endorsed Wadada as his preferred candidate for the Nasarawa governorship in 2027. The governor said the decision followed over a year of consultations with stakeholders across the state’s three senatorial zones. 

APC stakeholders in the state have since rallied behind the endorsement, describing Wadada as having the experience, reach, and political strength to sustain the administration’s development agenda. 

The senator, who holds the traditional title of Baraden Keffi, is married to Hajiya Maryam and Hajiya Zainab Ahmed.