News Editor
By Ibrahim Nasiru
“A river that forgets its source will soon run dry, but a river that refuses to flow toward the sea remains a stagnant pool.”
In the high stakes theater of the 2027 gubernatorial race, the southern senatorial district of Nasarawa has become the primary laboratory for a fascinating political experiment: the clash between established legislative legacy, grassroots structuralism, and global technocratic ambition.
At the heart of this struggle are three sons of the Alago nation; Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, Jibrin Sabo Keana, and Dr. Osana Odonye, whose simultaneous quest for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket has created a profound “Alago Paradox.”
This contest is no longer a simple nomination battle; it is a fundamental debate over the future identity of the South, forcing a choice between seasoned legislative wisdom, a proven structural mandate, and a data driven economic revolution.
Senator Onawo, the Turakin Doma, enters this arena with the formidable weight of institutional memory and a grassroots machinery that has functioned at peak efficiency for over two decades.
His path to the 2027 race is paved with the bricks of legislative victories and a deep seated connection to the traditional Alago power structures that view him as a reliable shield against political imposition.
To his supporters, he represents the “safety of the known”, a leader who has already mastered the art of navigating the complex corridors of power.
His candidacy is built on the belief that in a time of political uncertainty, Nasarawa requires a governor who does not need a map to find the levers of governance.
Sharpening this competition is the entry of Jibrin Sabo Keana, the Wakilin Keana, who provides a critical bridge between traditional loyalty and modern administrative progress.
Through his “DSP 2027 Project”, anchored on Development, Security, and Progress, JSk has emerged as a frontline contender who speaks the language of the common citizen while proposing bold structural reforms.
His focus on establishing a State Produce Marketing Board and a comprehensive statewide Ring Road demonstrates a commitment to the agricultural heart of the Alago people.
By positioning himself as a candidate of “practical solutions,” he challenges the veteran status of Onawo while offering a more localized, infrastructure heavy alternative to the technocratic theories of the elite.
Conversely, Dr. Osana Odonye has introduced a disruptive “Arise and Shine” movement that seeks to redefine the very purpose of the Governor’s office.
By positioning himself as a “Technocratic Shield,” Odonye leverages his global pedigree at the International Monetary Fund and the Central Bank of Nigeria to argue that traditional politics has reached a cul-de-sac of diminishing returns.
He presents a vision where the Alago people are no longer just political kingmakers, but the architects of a self sustaining industrial hub that rivals the neighbouring Federal Capital Territory.
His appeal is strongest among the professional class and the youth, who see in his wealth creation blueprint a modern exit strategy from the state’s current economic stagnation.
As the ADC primaries approaches, the “Battle for Nasarawa South” threatens to split the Alago voting bloc, potentially diluting the ethnic group’s collective bargaining power at the very moment they seek the state’s highest office.
While the Alago Development Association (ADA) and various community elders attempt to mediate this fraternal duel, the electorate is left to weigh the value of Onawo’s legislative mastery, JSK’s structural progressivism, and Odonye’s technocratic revolution.
Whether the South chooses the seasoned veteran, the practical developer, or the global economist will not only decide the fate of the ADC ticket but will set the tone for Nasarawa’s trajectory for the next decade.
Chief Ibrahim Nasiru
A Public Affairs Analyst writes from Abuja
