Ex-IGP Adamu Emerges SDP Governorship Candidate In Nasarawa

Former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Nasarawa State ahead of the 2027 election.

Adamu, who was the sole aspirant in the party’s replacement primary held in Lafia on Saturday, was declared the winner after delegates across the state participated in the exercise.

The primary was organised to replace the party’s earlier governorship candidate, Musa Adamu Angba. The election was conducted across Nasarawa State’s 13 local government areas, with results from the wards and local government areas subsequently collated.

Chairman of the SDP Electoral Committee for Nasarawa State, Barrister Joseph Achille, announced Adamu’s emergence at the collation centre at Ta’al Hotel in Lafia.

Achille said 28,637 delegates took part in the exercise, which he described as peaceful, free, fair and credible. He subsequently declared the former police chief the party’s duly elected candidate and flag-bearer for the 2027 governorship election.

Accepting the nomination, Adamu expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the primary and said his emergence provided an opportunity to offer residents an alternative approach to governance.

The former IGP pledged to pursue changes in the state if elected, criticising what he described as poor governance and outlining infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and the management of mineral resources as key areas of focus.

Adamu said his visits to different parts of Nasarawa had exposed the poor condition of roads in several rural communities. He promised that his administration would improve rural infrastructure and provide social amenities across the state.

He also pledged to expand healthcare services beyond urban centres, saying residents in rural communities should have access to adequate medical facilities and services.

On agriculture, the SDP candidate described Nasarawa as an agrarian state with vast cultivable land. He promised increased investment in the sector to boost food production, support residents’ livelihoods and contribute to the wider food supply chain.

Adamu also raised concerns over the exploitation of the state’s mineral resources, arguing that the benefits have not been adequately felt by residents. He promised to review the management of the sector and ensure that host communities and other residents derive greater economic value from the resources.

The former police chief further said his campaign would focus on specific commitments for each local government area rather than making broad promises. He pledged to present detailed plans to residents during the campaign.

Before the voting exercise, the SDP national leadership presented Adamu to party delegates and urged members to mobilise support for his candidacy ahead of the election.

Party leaders described the former IGP’s entry into the governorship race as a significant development for the SDP’s political ambitions in Nasarawa State.

The party’s national chairman also praised Adamu’s record in the Nigeria Police Force, describing his service as disciplined and committed to the rule of law.

His emergence was met with chants of “IG Governor” from supporters at the venue, while party leaders urged members to work towards securing victories for the SDP in the governorship, National Assembly and state House of Assembly elections.

The replacement primary was witnessed by SDP presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo and other national officials of the party.