Alleged Political Realignment: Rumours Swirl Over Ombugadu’s Potential APC Senate Bid and 2027 Power-Sharing Deal
By Abahuraira Mainasara, Kokona LGA
Unconfirmed reports are gaining momentum across Nasarawa State, hinting at a seismic political realignment within the All Progressives Congress (APC). At the centre of these whispers is Hon. David Emmanuel Ombugadu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate who mounted a fierce challenge in the 2023 governorship election.
Insiders suggest the APC’s state chapter is quietly exploring a high-stakes arrangement to bring Ombugadu into its fold, potentially reshaping the power dynamics ahead of key elections.
Why Tinubu’s subsidy regime is different – Governor Sule
This buzz has ignited speculation among political observers, who see it as a pragmatic move to consolidate support in a state where ethnic and zonal loyalties often dictate electoral fortunes.
The rumours specifically point to the APC considering Ombugadu as its flag-bearer for the Nasarawa North Senatorial bye-election.
This vacancy arose tragically following the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki, whose passing has left a significant gap in representation for the zone.
Nasarawa North, home to influential communities like the Eggon ethnic group, has long been a battleground for political heavyweights. Sources familiar with the discussions claim that Ombugadu’s popularity from his near-victory in 2023 makes him an attractive prospect to fill the seat, bridging divides between PDP loyalists and APC structures in a bid to avert a contentious primary.
According to a report shared by Abahuraira Mainasara Kokona LGA, on Facebook, Thursday, these developments reportedly crystallized during a discreet meeting between Nasarawa State Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule and Plateau State Governor Barr. Caleb Mutfwang.
The encounter unfolded at a lavish reception ceremony in Jos over the weekend, organized to celebrate Mutfwang’s high-profile defection to the ruling APC.
Attendees described the atmosphere as charged with backroom diplomacy, where the two governors reportedly huddled to discuss cross-state alliances.
Mutfwang’s recent switch to the APC has positioned him as a kingmaker in the North-Central region, lending weight to suggestions that this Jos gathering was more than ceremonial—it was a launchpad for broader zonal strategies.
Hot on the heels of the Jos reception, the governors are said to have jetted off to Abuja for high-level consultations with the APC’s national leadership.
This swift follow-up trip underscores the urgency of the alleged plot, with sources alleging that the trio aimed to iron out logistical and endorsement hurdles.
Abuja’s political corridors, ever sensitive to zoning formulas and power rotation pacts, could prove pivotal in greenlighting such a crossover.
For Governor Sule, who has his sights set on the Senate in 2027, securing Ombugadu’s cooperation might neutralize potential rivals while fortifying APC dominance in Nasarawa.
Under the rumoured blueprint, Ombugadu would clinch the APC ticket for the bye-election and occupy the Senate seat as a strategic placeholder.
This interim role would last only until 2027, paving the way for Governor Sule to transition seamlessly into the position after his second term as governor expires.
Proponents of the deal view it as a win-win: Ombugadu gains federal visibility and party infrastructure, while Sule avoids the pitfalls of an open senatorial contest amid economic pressures and voter fatigue.
Such placeholder arrangements, though controversial, have precedents in Nigerian politics, often stabilizing party tickets in volatile zones.
In exchange for this senatorial interlude, Ombugadu is reportedly assured the deputy governorship slot on the APC ticket for the 2027 general elections.
This promise extends to whichever gubernatorial candidate the party primaries produce, signaling a flexible yet binding commitment.
The deal allegedly weaves in alliances with the Eggon ethnic group, a demographic powerhouse in Nasarawa North whose backing could tip scales in both the bye-election and statewide polls.
Critics, however, decry it as elite horse-trading that sidelines grassroots aspirations, potentially fueling dissent within PDP ranks and independent voter circles.
As of now, neither the governors’ camps, Ombugadu’s team, nor APC national spokespersons have issued any confirmation, leaving the rumours in the realm of speculation.
The silence only amplifies the suspense, with political analysts predicting a flurry of denials, leaks, or endorsements in the coming days.
If it materializes, this arrangement could trigger cascading realignments across Nasarawa, drawing in PDP defectors and reshaping alliances ahead of 2027.
For residents of Kokona LGA and beyond, these whispers herald a period of intense debate, where loyalty, ambition, and power brokerage will redefine the state’s political landscape.
