The NDC picks Musa Shugaba-Abdullahi as Nasarawa governor candidate for 2027 after a substitution primary in Lafia
On Tuesday, 15 September 2026, the Nigeria Democratic Congress picked Musa Shugaba-Abdullahi as its candidate for the 2027 Nasarawa State governorship election after a substitution primary in Lafia.
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The vote was by affirmation. It was run by the NDC Electoral Committee and watched by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Committee chairman and NDC National Treasurer Dr Peter Onigah said the process followed the Electoral Act.
After his emergence, Musa Shugaba-Abdullahi set out a five-point plan on education, healthcare, infrastructure, empowerment and security.
He promised free and compulsory schooling for children aged three to 19 if elected. “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 also promised state support for people aged 19 to 25 who want to study for the NCE, OND, vocational courses or selected medical programmes, with tuition subsidised and feeding left to parents.
On health he said Nasarawa should become a medical hub. “Our aim is to reduce the need for Nigerians to travel to India, Dubai, the United Kingdom and other countries for medical treatment.” On roads and buildings he said projects should match what communities ask for. On security he said a state government has limited tools but would work with the Federal Government.
NDC State Chairman Dogo Shammah said the substitution primary was needed because some constituencies had no aspirants at the party’s May 2026 primary and placeholders had been used.
He said the party wanted a strong showing in 2027 and asked executives at zonal, local government and ward level to mobilise.
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The same exercise produced five Nasarawa State House of Assembly candidates: 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 and Gadabuke.
