Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has announced Emmanuel Michael Ombugadu as the running mate to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Sule made the announcement on Monday following an APC stakeholders’ meeting held at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, where party leaders deliberated on the choice of a deputy governorship candidate.
The governor said the decision followed consultations with several qualified aspirants who expressed interest in the position.
According to him, the aspirants had agreed to support whoever emerged, just as they did during the process that produced the party’s governorship candidate.
“We had a couple of people eminently qualified, and every one of them made a decision similar to what we did with the gubernatorial election, that whoever is selected among them, they would all rally and support that person.
“So at the end of the decision, it was agreed that Honourable Emmanuel Ombugadu will be our deputy gubernatorial candidate of the party,” Sule said.
The governor urged APC members to remain united, warning that internal divisions could undermine the party’s chances in the 2027 election.
“We cannot go into these elections divided. That is the reason we invited this meeting, so that we can keep together, make a decision together, and go together,” he added.
Wadada welcomed Ombugadu’s emergence, describing it as a decision of the party leadership that was also consistent with zoning considerations.
“I feel happy, I feel committed, and of course fulfilled to have him as my deputy gubernatorial candidate, because it is the decision of the party and the leadership,” Wadada said.
He appealed to other aspirants, particularly Dr Kigbu, to accept the outcome and work with the party toward victory in 2027.
“I call on all others too, particularly my brother Dr Kigbu, who everybody thought would get it, to accept this as the will of God. Together we shall weather the storm,” he said.
Ombugadu expressed appreciation to Sule and other APC stakeholders for selecting him, describing the decision as an important step toward strengthening the party.
“I feel highly elated, and I take it as the will of God for me to be in this capacity. I thank the Governor and all the stakeholders of the state for this very critical decision,” he said.
He acknowledged that some of the other aspirants might be disappointed by the decision but noted that they had pledged to remain committed to the APC.
Sule subsequently called on all members to set aside their differences and work together to build a formidable campaign structure ahead of the 2027 election.
Ombugadu’s emergence completes the APC governorship ticket in Nasarawa State as the party begins preparations for the forthcoming contest.
He is the elder brother of Dr. David Ombugadu the PDP Governorship Candidate in Nasarawa State.
