The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has concluded its substitution primary in Nasarawa State, unveiling Mr Musa Shugaba-Abdullahi as its governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The substitution primary was held in Lafia, the state capital.
Dr Peter Onigah, NDC National Treasurer and Chairman of the Electoral Committee, said the exercise was conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act and supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The exercise also produced five candidates for the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
The candidates are Iliya Emmanuel Ayas for Kokona West; Lucy Kigbu-Anzaku for Keffi East; Mohammed Ramalan for Keffi West; Micha Mamman for Obi I; and Hussaini Mustapha-Ganuwa for Toto/Gadabuke.
Speaking after his affirmation, the governorship candidate, Shugaba-Abdullahi, said his administration would be anchored on a five-point agenda covering education, healthcare, infrastructure, empowerment and security.
On education, 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 said.
He added that the government would subsidise tuition for National Certificate in Education (NCE), Ordinary National Diploma (OND), vocational and selected medical courses.
This would be for youths from ages 19 to 25, while parents would be responsible for feeding.
Shugaba-Abdullahi said the healthcare, would prioritise the sector and work to make Nasarawa a medical hub in Nigeria to reduce medical tourism to countries such as India, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
He said infrastructure development would be community-specific, while empowerment programmes would be based on the identified needs of residents to enable them become economically independent.
On security, he acknowledged the limited powers of state governments but said his administration would partner with the Federal Government to reduce insecurity and criminality to the barest minimum.
The NDC State Chairman, Comrade Dogo Shammah, said the substitution became necessary because some constituencies had no aspirants during the May primaries, resulting in the use of placeholders.
Shammah said the party intended not only to participate in the 2027 elections but also to win.
He called on party executives, zonal officers, local government and ward leaders to mobilise members for the task ahead.
He also thanked the party’s National Leader, Sen. Seriake Dickson, and the National Working Committee for their support towards the success of the exercise.
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