By Aminu Adamu
As Adamawa South edges closer to the 2027 senatorial elections, the region finds itself at a crucial crossroads. For decades, our choices at the ballot have been largely colored by religious and ethnic sentiments. We have allowed identity politics to dictate our future, often at the expense of competence, development, and true representation. While religion and ethnicity are important pillars of our heritage, using them as the sole yardstick for leadership selection has cost us opportunities for growth. The upcoming election offers a rare chance to rewrite this narrative by choosing a leader whose record speaks louder than his ethnic or religious identity. Abdulrazak Saad Namdas stands out as a beacon of competence, service, and genuine commitment to the people, and it is imperative that we focus on merit, not mere affiliations.
Born on January 1, 1969, in Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Namdas’s journey mirrors the hopes and struggles of many ordinary Nigerians. A graduate of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, where he earned a degree in Sociology, and later a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the prestigious Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Namdas started his career as a journalist before venturing into public service. His foray into politics was not fueled by personal ambition but by a clear desire to be a voice for the voiceless. As Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Boni Haruna, Namdas earned respect for his professionalism and dedication. His subsequent election to the House of Representatives to represent Jada/Ganye/Mayo-Belwa/Toungo Federal Constituency was a natural progression for someone deeply invested in public service.
In the National Assembly, Abdulrazak Namdas distinguished himself not as a noise maker but as a strategic legislator. As Spokesperson of the 8th Assembly, he defended the House’s integrity and decisions with intelligence and tact, helping to bridge the often wide communication gap between legislators and the public. In the 9th Assembly, his appointment as Chairman of the House Committee on Army reflected the confidence his colleagues had in his leadership abilities. It was under his chairmanship that critical conversations around improving the welfare of soldiers, boosting morale, and better equipping the Army in the fight against insurgency became a legislative priority. His leadership during this period was hailed by many as evidence of a prepared and conscientious leader.
Namdas was not just content with Abuja politics; he maintained a firm grip on grassroots connection. Throughout his tenure, he facilitated countless empowerment programs for youth and women. He sponsored skills acquisition programs, distributed farming tools and fertilizers to boost agriculture, and provided scholarships to indigent students. These were not mere political stunts but well-thought-out interventions aimed at addressing the core challenges facing his constituents. His approach to empowerment has always been pragmatic — offering people not just handouts but opportunities to lift themselves out of poverty.
Today, many across Adamawa South can point to a life changed because Namdas cared enough to act. From market women in Ganye to farmers in Mayo-Belwa, his name evokes genuine affection. In 2022, women from across the state, under the banner of “Women For Namdas,” publicly endorsed him for higher office, citing his consistent support for female empowerment and inclusion. Youth organizations and civil society groups have repeatedly ranked him among the best performing lawmakers from Adamawa State, praising his honesty, humility, and visible contributions. A notable endorsement came from the Adamawa Conscience Guard, a pro-democracy group, which described Namdas as a lawmaker who had remained faithful to the cause of fighting poverty and empowering the marginalized.
Abdulrazak Namdas’s vision for Adamawa South is one that every forward-thinking citizen should rally behind. He dreams of a region where opportunities are not rationed by surname or faith, but by ability and contribution. His priorities are clear: economic development through agricultural and SME support, improvement of educational and healthcare facilities, and massive investment in infrastructure to connect our communities and facilitate trade. He understands that a road connecting villages achieves more for peace and unity than a hundred sermons on brotherhood. His campaign is rooted not in empty promises but in a record of tangible service and results.
The time has come for Adamawa South to mature politically. We must ask ourselves tough questions: What has religious or ethnic politics brought us beyond fleeting pride? Who among us does not want better hospitals, good schools, reliable electricity, and jobs for our youths? None of these needs have a tribe or a religion. They are universal aspirations. The 2027 elections offer us a golden opportunity to elect a senator who is ready on day one — someone whose life’s work is proof of his ability to deliver. Abdulrazak Namdas is that candidate.
In choosing Namdas, Adamawa South will be making a bold statement that it is no longer business as usual. We will be sending a message that competence, character, and compassion matter more than where a candidate worships or the language they speak. We will be aligning ourselves with the future, not the past. We must resist the temptation to allow identity merchants to cloud our judgment. Our votes must be a reflection of our collective hunger for genuine progress, not a rehearsal of old divisions.
Abdulrazak Namdas has shown time and again that leadership is about service, not self-interest. His life has been one of bridge-building, empowerment, and purposeful representation. As 2027 approaches, let us choose wisely. Let us choose based on facts, records, and vision. Let us choose Abdulrazak Namdas — not because of where he comes from or how he prays, but because of what he has done, and what he will do for all of Adamawa South. The future is calling. Let’s answer with courage.
