By AWAYI KUJE

A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Mr David Ombugadu, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ombugadu, who recently defected from the PDP to the APC, made the declaration during a town hall meeting with Eggon people of Nasarawa North Senatorial District in Akwanga on Friday.

The former House of Representatives member, who represented Akwanga/Nasarawa-Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency, said his decision to join the APC was to add value and support the developmental strides of President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Abdullahi Sule.

He, however, dismissed rumours that he defected to the APC to pursue the deputy governorship slot in the 2027 election.

“I want to use this opportunity to tell you that I will contest the Nasarawa North senatorial by-election to replace our late Distinguished Sen. Godiya Akwashiki at the National Assembly.

“By God’s grace, I will go to the Senate and subsequently contest for the governorship of the state in 2027.

“Anyone saying that I joined the APC to pursue the deputy governorship slot is not correct,” he said.

Ombugadu said that if elected as senator during the forthcoming by-election, he would facilitate projects that would accelerate development in the zone.

According to him, such projects include provision of water, scholarship opportunities, agricultural empowerment programmes and electricity, among others.

The former lawmaker also pledged to work with Gov. Abdullahi Sule and other APC stakeholders to ensure victory for the party and the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027.

“For the progress and development of Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large, let us give our maximum support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Gov. Abdullahi Sule for APC’s victory beyond 2027,” he said.

He commended Sule for his infrastructural development in the state, particularly the construction of flyovers and underpasses in Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi.

He further called on eligible citizens who had yet to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so in order to participate in future elections.

In their separate remarks, Mr Jacob Ali, former PDP Nasarawa North Zonal Chairman; Mr Istifanus Abaku, former Administrator of Akun Development Area; and Mrs Lami Bako, former Speaker of Akun Legislative Council, alongside leaders of the Eggon Political Forum and other stakeholders, assured Ombugadu of their support and prayers.

They said that Umbugadu enjoyed grassroots support and expressed confidence that he would attract rapid development to the zone if elected senator in the forthcoming by-election. (NAN)