From Abel Leonard, Lafia
As Nigeria’s political momentum gradually shifts toward the 2027 general elections, Nasarawa State has emerged as a microcosm of the nation’s democratic contestations. The two dominant parties—the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—are grappling with internal crises, factionalisation, and growing voter dissatisfaction. Amid this political flux, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), long considered a fringe party, is steadily gaining attention as a possible alternative.
Stakeholders, analysts, and civil society organisations have intensified calls for electoral reforms, internal party democracy, and constitutional restructuring. Nasarawa’s political trajectory ahead of 2027 will likely be defined not just by party strategy but by how well political actors respond to the yearnings of an increasingly politically aware electorate.
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The PDP in Nasarawa State has been hit by a wave of defections involving some prominent former gubernatorial aspirants and former Deputy governor, and ex-party officials. While some defectors have joined the APC, others have pitched their tents with the ADC. The PDP, however, has downplayed these moves, asserting that the party’s structures remain intact across the three senatorial zones—North, West, and South.
Hon. Francis Orogu, the former state chairman and now North-Central Zonal Secretary of the PDP, dismissed the defections as politically inconsequential.
“The people that are leaving are not on ground and do not have the political will to serve in the party. They are people with selfish interests, and we are happy that they are leaving,” Orogu stated.
He further said that”Have you asked why it is only they that are leaving? Did you see any of their supporters leaving the party as well? It shows that the PDP structure is intact, and we are focused on rebuilding the party for 2027.”
In a similar tone, the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the last two elections, Hon. David Emmanuel Ombugadu, encouraged party members to remain committed.
“My efforts in the 2023 elections were not because of the people that are leaving. It was the Nasarawa voters that gave me the mandate—not any single man or group. The Nasarawa people have the say, and not some groups who feel they should always be the ones to control the party.
“We have won elections in the state twice, and they stole it from us. But I know for sure that God will do it in 2027,” he added.
Amid speculations that the party had already settled on Ombugadu as its 2027 flagbearer, some defectors alleged that the party had sidelined zoning and democratic processes.
However, the PDP has insisted that its gubernatorial candidate will emerge through an open and transparent primary, not a predetermined arrangement.
Reinforcing this stance, PDP stakeholders and zonal executives have recently held caucus and consultative meetings across the three senatorial zones. Leaders from the Northern, Western, and Southern zones reaffirmed their commitment to the party’s unity and electoral victory in 2027.
State Chairman, Adamu Ninga Bako reassured supporters that the party remains solid in structure and focus, stating that reconciliation efforts were ongoing to welcome back aggrieved members and consolidate the party’s base across the state.
Meanwhile, the ruling APC faces its own internal wranglings, primarily revolving around the contentious issue of zoning. Former Governor and ex-National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, stirred the hornet’s nest when he declared at a political meeting in Keffi that the governorship in 2027 should be zoned to the Western senatorial district.
“It is our turn,” he said, pointing to the historical pattern of rotating the governorship among the three senatorial zones of the state.
However, this pronouncement has generated friction within the party, especially from stakeholders in the southern zone who feel sidelined and argue that zoning should not trump competence or wider party consultation.
A political analyst, Umar Abdullahi Angibi, said “Zoning becomes meaningful only when enforced through consensus by sitting governors and other key actors. These unilateral declarations only deepen divisions.”
But Abdullahi Usman Sandaji, another observer, said “there is no constitutional provision nor any binding political agreement that mandates zoning in Nasarawa State. What we need is competence and development—not entitlement.”
Nevertheless, pro-zoning voices, including the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Danladi Jatau, continue to press for power rotation in favour of the western zone, arguing for equity and inclusion.
On his part, Governor Abdullahi Sule has maintained that he will endorse a successor but assured the public that the APC primaries will be competitive and democratic.
“I’ll clearly name my preferred candidate. I will not be afraid to publicly endorse who I believe should succeed me,” he stated.
However, beyond the issue of zoning, a powerful subtext in the build up to 2027 is the growing influence of the indigeneity debate, where the discourse centres on who truly belongs to Nasarawa by cultural, ancestral, and community roots.
Many believe that political legitimacy in 2027 must rest on a candidate’s verifiable ties to the state.
“It is not about where you were born but whether you’ve invested your time and resources into the development of the state,” said Zainab Musa, a political analyst in Keffi.
This narrative is resonating, particularly in the APC, where some leading aspirants are alleged to have shallow grassroots root. Social media has amplified these concerns, with voters increasingly scrutinising origin, community engagement, and loyalty to Nasarawa’s identity.
But as the APC and PDP wrestle with their internal issues, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is quietly building momentum. With a reformist message focused on youth inclusion, transparency, and good governance, the party is becoming a rallying point for civil society and younger voters disillusioned by mainstream politics.
“We are tired of the same names,” said Musa Abubakar, a youth activist in Lafia. “ADC may not have the money, but they speak the language of the people.”
The ADC’s call for electoral reform and a new political order is drawing support, especially from first-time voters.
Political commentator, Dr. Williams Adamu observed that “If APC and PDP continue to recycle old methods, the ADC will benefit. The youth are watching and waiting.”
Yet, the party’s structural weakness at the ward and local government levels raises questions about its capacity to convert popularity into electoral victory.
On their part, civil society organisations have stepped up their involvement ahead of the 2027 polls. Town hall meetings, radio campaigns, and media briefings have been used to urge parties to respect internal democracy, field competent candidates, and commit to transparent primaries.
“The demand is simple: free, fair, and credible elections,” said civil society leader, Emmanuel Ewuga.
“We want parties that respect their members and offer citizens a real choice,” he added.
This demand cuts across party lines and could reshape how campaigns are conducted, especially in rural and youth-dominated areas.
From all indications, what remains certain is that Nasarawa’s voters are more informed, more vocal, and more determined to be heard than ever before. The next election will not just be a contest of candidates—it will be a test of political credibility, public trust, and people power.
Whether APC or PDP will overcome their internal turbulence, or whether the ADC will rise to redefine the process, remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: in 2027, Nasarawa’s citizens will speak—and their voices will be decisive.
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