The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has picked Musa Shugaba-Abdullahi as its candidate for the 2027 Nasarawa State governorship election.
Shugaba-Abdullahi emerged during the party’s substitution primary held on Tuesday night in Lafia, the state capital.
The exercise was conducted through affirmation and overseen by the NDC Electoral Committee, with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) supervising the process.
Chairman of the electoral committee and NDC National Treasurer, Dr Peter Onigah, said the exercise was conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act.
Speaking after his emergence, Shugaba-Abdullahi unveiled a five-point agenda centred on education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment and security.
He pledged to introduce free and compulsory education for children between the ages of three and 19 if elected governor.
“We want to reduce illiteracy to the barest minimum. One of the reasons for insecurity and other social vices is because a good number of our youth are illiterate,” he said.
The NDC candidate also promised government support for young people aged 19 to 25 who wish to study NCE, OND, vocational and selected medical courses.
According to him, the government would subsidise tuition for the programmes, while parents would be responsible for feeding.
On healthcare, Shugaba-Abdullahi said his administration would prioritise the sector and seek to position Nasarawa as a medical hub in Nigeria.
“Our aim is to reduce the need for Nigerians to travel to India, Dubai, the United Kingdom and other countries for medical treatment.”
He also said his administration would prioritise infrastructure projects based on the specific needs of communities rather than embarking on projects that did not address their immediate concerns.
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On security, the candidate acknowledged the limited constitutional role of state governments but pledged to work with the Federal Government to address insecurity and criminal activities across the state.
NDC State Chairman, Hon. Dogo Shammah, explained that the substitution primary became necessary after some constituencies had no aspirants during the party’s May 2026 primary, leading to the use of placeholders.
Shammah said the party was preparing to contest the 2027 elections and urged party executives, zonal officers, local government and ward leaders to mobilise support ahead of the polls.
The exercise also produced five NDC candidates for the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
They are Iliya Emmanuel Ayas for Kokona West, Lucy Kigbu-Anzaku for Keffi East, Mohammed Ramalan for Keffi West, Micha Mamman for Obi 1 and Hussaini Mustapha-Ganuwa for Toto/Gadabuke Constituency.
