The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has chosen 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 Nasarawa State capital.
The exercise was conducted through affirmation and overseen by the NDC Electoral Committee, with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) present to supervise the process.
Chairman of the electoral committee and NDC National Treasurer, Dr Peter Onigah, said the primary was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Accepting the party’s ticket, Shugaba-Abdullahi unveiled a five-point development agenda centred on education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment and security.
He pledged to introduce free and compulsory education for children aged three to 19 if elected governor, saying education would be a major tool for tackling illiteracy and social vices in the state.
«“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 assistance for young people between the ages of 19 and 25 who wish to pursue NCE, OND, vocational training and selected medical programmes.
According to him, the state government would subsidise tuition for eligible programmes, while parents would remain responsible for feeding their children.
Healthcare
On healthcare, Shugaba-Abdullahi said his administration would give the sector priority and pursue policies aimed at transforming Nasarawa into a medical hub.
He said the objective would be to reduce the number of Nigerians travelling abroad for medical treatment.
“Our aim is to reduce the need for Nigerians to travel to India, Dubai, the United Kingdom and other countries for medical treatment,” he said.
Infrastructure
On infrastructure, the governorship hopeful said his administration would prioritise projects according to the needs of individual communities.
He said government resources should be directed towards projects that directly address the priorities of residents rather than projects with little relevance to their immediate needs.
Security
Shugaba-Abdullahi acknowledged that state governments have limited constitutional powers over security but pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to address insecurity and criminal activities in Nasarawa.
Meanwhile, NDC State Chairman, Hon. Dogo Shammah, explained that the substitution primary became necessary after some constituencies failed to produce aspirants during the party’s May 2026 primary election.
He said placeholders had consequently been used in some constituencies, necessitating the latest exercise.
Shammah said the party was positioning itself to participate actively in the 2027 elections and urged party executives, zonal officers, local government leaders and ward officials to intensify mobilisation across the state.
The substitution primary 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 the Toto/Gadabuke Constituency.