Nasarawa: Over 30 aspirants jostle as governorship posters flood Lafia

With more than a year to the 2027 general election, the race to succeed Governor Abdullahi Sule has already gathered momentum in Nasarawa State, as no fewer than 35 politicians either openly indicate interest or are being promoted through posters flooding Lafia, the state capital.

The emerging field cuts across major political parties and reflects a mix of political heavyweights, technocrats, academics and grassroots politicians, underscoring what analysts describe as one of the most open and competitive governorship contests in the state’s recent history.

Aspirants are spread across the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP) and Action Alliance (AA).

From the Nasarawa North zone, aspirants include Gen. Nuhu Bala Angbazo (ADC), Barrister Danladi Halilu Evulanza (APC), Hon. Julius Ojo Eggon (APC), Comrade Chris Mamman (LP) and Rt. Hon. David Emmanuel Ombugadu (PDP), all from Nasarawa Eggon, as well as Alhaji Ayuba Umar (ADC) and Hon. Silas Ali Agara (APC) from Akwanga.

The Western Zone, particularly Keffi and Karu axis, accounts for the highest number of aspirants. Those linked to the race include Architect Shehu Tukur (APC), Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada (SDP/APC), Dr. Kabir El-Bashir (APC), Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna (APC), Barrister Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi (ADC), Rt. Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi (SDP), Hon. Stephen Joseph (AA), Barrister Tanimu Adabson (APC), Prof. Abdulkareem Kana (APC), Dr. Zakka Ledwi Yakubu (APC), Architect Jafar Ibrahim (PDP), Dr. Faisal Shuaib (APC), Dr. Ahmed Musa Mohammed (APC) and Alhaji Musa Mohammed Maikaya (APC).

In the Southern Zone, aspirants being mentioned include Rt. Hon. Abubakar Nalaraba and Alhaji Abubakar Giza from Keana, former Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu, Dr. Joseph Haruna Kigbu, Dr. Hassan Mohammed Liman (SAN) and Alhaji Mohammed Shehu from Lafia, as well as Alhaji Abdullahi Yakubu Maidoya (NNPP), Dr. Ishaku Adamu Akyala (ADC), Hon. Abdull Mohammed Wada (ADC) and Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo (ADC).

Analysts say alliances, zoning arrangements and intra-party consensus will ultimately determine who emerges, as many aspirants are expected to step down or align with stronger contenders as party primaries draw closer.

Beyond the sheer number of aspirants, the contest highlights deeper political dynamics in the state. Observers note that many aspirants appear to rely heavily on party platforms, ethnic identities, religious affiliations and zonal calculations rather than clearly articulated policy agendas. Nasarawa’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious character means such factors often shape voter behaviour.

During the 2023 elections, religious and ethnic sentiments played a visible role, with some clerics openly mobilising support for candidates of shared faith, a development that heightened political tension. Analysts warn that while such strategies may yield short-term gains, they do little to address governance challenges or promote inclusive development.

Governor Sule has so far maintained a neutral posture, repeatedly stating that he has not endorsed any aspirant. He has pledged to respect zoning arrangements in the interest of fairness and insists that broad consultation with stakeholders will guide the APC’s eventual choice. He has also assured aspirants that none will be unfairly denied the opportunity to contest.

Having governed the state since 2011, the APC’s internal decisions on zoning and candidate selection are expected to significantly shape the 2027 contest. While the party has gained numerical strength through recent defections from opposition parties, this influx also raises the risk of internal rivalry as new members push for relevance and representation.

A delicate balance, analysts say, will be required to manage these competing interests. Strict adherence to party rules and transparent processes could help the APC harness its expanded base while limiting internal fractures.

Opposition parties face parallel challenges. The PDP, SDP, NNPP, and LP are grappling with membership losses and the task of rebuilding their structures with the ADC believe to be gradually assuming the position of the opposition party to beat. Still, analysts note that opposition candidates could capitalise on voter fatigue with incumbency by appealing to personal credibility, competence and grassroots appeal.

A political analyst and academic, Professor Shuaib Umar Abdul of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, attributes the surge in aspirants to what he describes as an open political environment fostered by the Sule administration, growing grassroots agitation and the attractiveness of an open seat.

“With Governor Sule completing his second and final term in 2027, the seat is up for grabs,” he said, adding that the reality, combined with competitive party politics and grassroots demands, has encouraged many politicians to enter the race early.

As the field continues to expand, political watchers agree that the coming months will be decisive, as consultations, negotiations and alignments begin to separate serious contenders from the rest. The stage, they say, is set for a fiercely competitive governorship election in Nasarawa State.

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