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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Eggon Political Forum has adopted the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. David Emmanuel Ombugadu, as its consensus candidate for the 2027 Nasarawa State governorship election.
The forum announced the decision in a communiqué after its meeting at Albert Event Hall, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, saying it followed extensive consultations and assessment of the six Eggon candidates contesting the governorship seat.
The forum, which described itself as a non-partisan body, committed to promoting political unity and sanity among the Eggon people, said its assessment involved Eggon stakeholders across the three senatorial zones, Eggon people in the diaspora and representatives of other ethnic nationalities in the state.
It also said youth, women and elders’ groups were consulted during the process leading to the adoption of a candidate.
According to the communiqué yesterday by its chairman, Alhaji Umaru Gwamna, Sangarin Eggon and the Secretary, Istifanus Dennis Abaku, the forum considered the stability of the political parties involved, grassroots presence, popularity, party structures, previous records in public office, political experience and candidate’s manifestoes.
The six Eggon candidates considered by the forum were Shuaibu Umaru Kubi of Accord, Gen. Nuhu Angbazo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chris Mamman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Ibrahim Kassimu Aboh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. David Emmanuel Ombugadu of the PDP and Mr John Tanko Kigbu of the Young Progressive Party (YPP).
The forum said its assessment showed that one of the candidates was “overwhelmingly considered suitable” to represent what it described as the aspirations and interests of the Eggon people in the 2027 governorship election.
“In the light of the above, we wish to formally declare that one of our sons, Dr David Emmanuel Ombugadu of the PDP is hereby declared to be the consensus candidate of the Eggon people,” the communiqué stated.
The group subsequently called on the five other candidates to support Ombugadu, saying unity of purpose was necessary to achieve what it described as the collective political aspiration of the Eggon people.
“We respectfully appeal to the five other candidates to kindly support and rally round the adopted candidate to ensure victory of the adopted candidate in the forthcoming elections,” it said.
The forum also appealed to other ethnic nationalities in Nasarawa State to align with the Eggon people in supporting Ombugadu’s candidature.
It urged the Eggon people across the state to embrace the decision, acknowledging that individuals could have different political interests but insisting that the collective interest of the people should take precedence.
“It is very normal for us all to have our divergent interests, but the collective interest of the land is supreme,” the forum said.
However, the President of the Eggon Youth Nationwide and Eggon Cultural Development Association (ECDA), Friday Haruna, who witnessed the meeting, said wider Eggon stakeholders were still expected to harmonise their position on the 2027 governorship election.
Haruna, who said he was invited to witness the proceedings and understand the outcome of the meeting, acknowledged the decision of the political forum but indicated that the broader Eggon stakeholder process was not yet concluded.
“I want to believe the Eggon critical stakeholders are still sitting to make sure we come up with a particular candidate, which I may not be able to say here if it will be contrary to what our parents’ body wants,” he said.
According to him, the various stakeholders would still sit together and harmonise the different positions before announcing what would become the collective political direction of the Eggon people.
He said the forum was entitled to make its own decision, but added that the wider consultations would determine the eventual direction.
“Just like I said, it’s a forum and they choose to endorse one of the candidates. The Eggon are still going to sit and harmonise what they did, and it’s going to be pronounced and everybody will know the direction,” Haruna said.
He also urged the governorship candidates seeking the support of the people to demonstrate their acceptability among the electorate, saying political candidates should be able to sell their programmes and personalities to voters.
“If you have a good product that you took to the market, you don’t need to advertise it. Definitely, sell yourself,” he said.
