Nasarawa APC picks Wadada’s running mate

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has announced Emmanuel Ombugadu as the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state for the 2027 election, following a decision reached at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, on Monday.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Sule said the choice was reached after consultations among the aspirants who had shown interest in the position, all of whom pledged to rally behind whoever emerged, in the same spirit that guided the party’s earlier decision on its governorship candidate.

“We had a couple of people eminently qualified, and every one of them made a decision similar to what we did with the gubernatorial election: that whoever is selected among them, they would all rally and support that person.

“So at the end of the decision, it was agreed that Honourable Emmanuel Ombugadu will be our deputy governorship candidate of the party,” the governor said.

Sule commended party stakeholders for turning out for the meeting despite the short notice, explaining that the venue was moved to Abuja on account of his official engagements, including the North Central Development Commission summit where he served as chief host, and his scheduled departure for the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

He urged party members to remain united ahead of the 2027 general election.

“We cannot go into these elections divided. That is the reason we called this meeting, so that we can keep together, make a decision together, and go together,” he said.

Also speaking, the APC 2027 governorship candidate, Aliyu Wadada, expressed satisfaction with the choice of his running mate, noting that the decision reflected the will of the party leadership and took into account zoning considerations.

“I feel happy, I feel committed, and of course fulfilled to have him as my deputy governorship candidate, because it is the decision of the party and the leadership,” he said.

Wadada appealed to other aspirants who had shown interest in the position to accept the outcome in the interest of party unity.

“I call on all others too, particularly my brother Dr Kigbu, who everybody thought would get it, to accept this as the will of God. Together, we shall weather the storm,” Wadada said.

Reacting, Ombugadu thanked the governor and party stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him, describing the decision as difficult but necessary for the party’s cohesion.

“I feel highly elated, and I take it as the will of God for me to be in this capacity. I thank the governor and all the stakeholders of the state for this very critical decision,” he said.

He acknowledged that some of his colleagues who also aspired to the position felt aggrieved, but noted that they had pledged loyalty to the party.

“Thank God they have pledged their loyalty to the party and agreed to work for the progress of the party come 2027,” he added.