Ombugadu and the Campaign of Reassurance in Nasarawa

By David Odama

For Rt. Hon. Emmanuel David Ombugadu, the political journey has been an investment built on trust, sacrifice, fairness and a determination to give every part of Nasarawa State a sense of belonging.

But years into that journey, the former federal lawmaker believes that the political victory he fought so hard to secure has been surrendered to the very political party he repeatedly defeated.

Addressing party supporters during his campaign tour of Nasarawa, Toto and Keffi, Ombugadu reflected on the origins of his political journey, the relationships that shaped his rise and the support that earned him opportunities to represent the people.

His speech, delivered during his campaign tour of Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone, was a mixture of disappointment, political grievances and a call for renewed mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Beyond expressing political differences, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate took his audience back to the beginning of a political relationship he said was founded on loyalty, mutual understanding and shared interests with the people of Nasarawa State.

Ombugadu, who believes that it is time for another political bloc to produce a governor rather than allowing the same group to continue dominating the state’s leadership, argued that fairness and equity should remain central to the state’s political arrangements.

While acknowledging concerns over alleged political manipulation, intimidation and gangsterism, he maintained that the question of equity should not be determined solely by population, religion or ethnicity, but also by capacity, competence, capability, commitment, dedication and a genuine interest in the development of the state.

He urged the people to consider the political history of Nasarawa State and resist any arrangement that could undermine fairness, inclusiveness and the opportunity for different political interests to contribute to the state’s leadership.

The former lawmaker, however, expressed disappointment over what he described as the transfer of their political victory to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He accused those who took over the political structure of surrendering a victory that, according to him, had been secured through years of political struggle and sacrifice.

“Now the APC that you defeated here has dashed your hard-won victory free of charge. Are you happy with that?” he asked.

The question underscored the deepening political divisions in parts of the state and the growing contest over the future of political leadership in Nasarawa.

Ombugadu, who represented Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, called on the people of Nasarawa West to resist what he described as political domination.

“This West has not been conquered by anybody. Will you allow us to be conquered in your lifetime?” he asked.

He urged party members to return to their respective communities, engage residents and communicate the party’s policies, programmes and political agenda, assuring them that a PDP administration would prioritise the zone’s development and ensure that the dividends of democracy reach the people directly.

For Ombugadu, the task ahead goes beyond establishing party structures. It involves rebuilding political support, strengthening the party’s grassroots presence and convincing residents that the PDP offers a credible alternative for leadership in 2027.

Beyond the issues of political loyalty, fairness and the future of the state, the PDP candidate used the occasion to present his vision for a different Nasarawa.

He criticised the incumbent administration, questioning its energy and capacity to address the state’s economic and security challenges. He argued that Nasarawa needed a leader capable of giving sustained attention to the welfare of its people and the overall development of the state.

According to him, the 2027 election presents an opportunity for citizens to change the state’s political direction by voting against poverty, political manipulation, intimidation, hardship, hunger and deteriorating infrastructure, which he blamed for worsening living conditions.

Painting a picture of a state where ordinary citizens are struggling to meet their basic needs, the former lawmaker expressed concern over access to healthcare, noting that many residents were increasingly turning to individuals and religious institutions for assistance because of difficulties accessing affordable medical services.

“Today, we have a state that produces the highest number of poor people. Today, we have a state where our people are hungry. Nigerians don’t know where the next meal will come from anymore,” he said.

“Today, if you are sick, instead of going to the hospital, you go to church because there’s no hospital, so you can only pray for God to save you,” the PDP candidate added.

On youth development, Ombugadu highlighted unemployment and inadequate educational opportunities as major challenges confronting the younger generation.

He maintained that the state must move beyond a situation where citizens’ hopes and expectations are repeatedly frustrated to an administration driven by workable policies and programmes capable of creating wealth through local production, industrial development and employment generation.

“What do we want to do? We are telling you that PDP is coming to build a new Nasarawa that is possible. We want to move the state from consumption to production,” Ombugadu declared.

His emphasis on moving Nasarawa from consumption to production formed a central part of his economic vision, which seeks to promote local enterprise, expand economic opportunities and create an environment where citizens can become productive contributors to the state’s development.

Security also featured prominently in the candidate’s address, as he expressed concern over kidnapping and the growing fear associated with travelling on Nigerian roads.

He argued that residents should be able to move freely, pursue their legitimate activities and travel across the state without the fear of being kidnapped or attacked.

“We will secure Nasarawa. Nobody will live in a state where you can’t move on the road again,” he declared.

He further pledged that a PDP-led administration would take decisive action against kidnappers, particularly those targeting schoolchildren, promising that victims would be rescued without payment of ransom.

“If anybody takes schoolchildren, if anybody kidnaps anybody, we will be able to rescue the person without ransom. Nobody will try that in our government,” he said.

On education, the PDP candidate promised to prioritise free primary education as part of efforts to expand access to learning and reduce the burden on parents and guardians.

He also pledged to fight corruption, promote transparency and accountability in public spending, and address the state’s electricity challenges as part of a broader development agenda.

These promises, he suggested, would form part of a governance approach that places the welfare of citizens, institutional accountability and sustainable development at the centre of public administration

The campaign tour provided an opportunity for the PDP leadership to articulate its political ambitions, mobilise grassroots support and position the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While Ombugadu presented a vision centred on economic production, security, education, electricity, employment and accountability, his address also brought the political contest closer to the people by reopening questions about loyalty, equity, trust and the future of leadership in Nasarawa State.

His message was essentially a campaign of reassurance: a promise that a different political arrangement could produce a government more responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the candidate and party leaders urged residents to embrace the PDP as an alternative to the APC, insisting that the state needs a new direction in leadership and governance.

For the PDP, however, the real challenge lies in translating its political grievances, campaign promises and mobilisation efforts into a convincing proposition capable of earning the confidence and votes of the electorate.

Ultimately, the success of Ombugadu’s campaign of reassurance will depend not only on how effectively he communicates his vision but also on his ability to convince the people of Nasarawa that the promises of a different state can be translated into tangible improvements in their daily lives.