The Eggon Political Forum has endorsed Dr David Emmanuel Ombugadu as its consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Nasarawa State. This decision was made after a thorough assessment of six Eggon sons contesting the governorship seat on different party platforms. The forum, a self-described non-partisan body, conducted extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including Eggon people in the diaspora and representatives of other ethnic nationalities.
According to the communiqué issued after the meeting, the assessment was based on several factors, including the stability of political parties, grassroots presence, popularity, party structures, previous records in public office, political experience, and candidates' manifestos. The six candidates screened were Hon. Shuaibu Umaru Kubi, Gen. Nuhu Angbazo, Hon. Chris Mamman, Hon. Ibrahim Kassimu Aboh, Rt. Hon. Dr David Emmanuel Ombugadu, and Mr John Tanko Kigbu.
The Eggon Political Forum's decision was signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Umaru Gwamna, and Secretary, Hon. Istifanus Dennis Abaku. The forum declared Ombugadu, a former member of the House of Representatives and the PDP governorship candidate in the 2019 and 2023 state elections, as the consensus candidate of the Eggon people. They appealed to the five other candidates to support and rally around Ombugadu to ensure victory at the polls.
The forum also called on other ethnic nationalities in the state to align with the Eggon people in supporting Ombugadu's candidature. They emphasized that while divergent interests are normal, the collective interest of the land is supreme. This endorsement comes as the Nasarawa PDP has already affirmed Ombugadu as its consensus candidate for 2027.
However, not all stakeholders are in agreement with the forum's decision. Friday Haruna, President of the Eggon Youth Nationwide and the Eggon Cultural Development Association, who witnessed the meeting, stated that the broader Eggon stakeholders had yet to harmonize their position. Haruna acknowledged the forum's decision but noted that critical stakeholders would still meet to decide the collective political direction of the Eggon people.
Haruna emphasized that the Eggon people would still sit and harmonize the forum's decision, and it would be pronounced, with everybody knowing the direction. This suggests that while the Eggon Political Forum has made its decision, the final say may still rest with a larger gathering of stakeholders.
The endorsement of Ombugadu as the consensus candidate is seen as a significant development in the lead-up to the 2027 governorship election in Nasarawa State. With the forum's backing, Ombugadu's chances of securing the governorship seat may have increased, although the ultimate decision will depend on the collective direction of the Eggon people and other stakeholders in the state.
Key points
- The Eggon Political Forum has endorsed Dr David Emmanuel Ombugadu as its consensus candidate for the 2027 Nasarawa governorship election.
- The forum's decision was based on an assessment of six candidates, considering factors such as party stability, grassroots presence, and political experience.
- Not all stakeholders agree with the forum's decision, with some calling for a broader harmonization of the Eggon people's position.
