By Edwin Phillip, Lafia

LAFIA — The Eggon Political Forum has endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Dr David Emmanuel Ombugadu, as its consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

The forum announced the decision in a communiqué issued after its meeting at Albert Event Hall, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, on Wednesday.

It said the endorsement followed extensive consultations and assessment of six Eggon candidates contesting the governorship election.

The forum, which described itself as a non-partisan body committed to promoting political unity among the Eggon people, said its consultations involved stakeholders across the three senatorial zones, Eggon people in the diaspora and representatives of other ethnic nationalities in the state.

It added that youth, women and elders’ groups were also consulted during the process.

According to the communiqué signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Umaru Gwamna, Sangarin Eggon, and Secretary, Hon. Istifanus Dennis Abaku, the forum considered party stability, grassroots presence, popularity, party structures, previous records in public office, political experience and candidates’ manifestoes.

The six candidates assessed were Shuaibu Umaru Kubi of the Accord Party, Gen. Nuhu Angbazo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chris Mamman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Ibrahim Kassimu Aboh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ombugadu of the PDP and John Tanko Kigbu of the Young Progressive Party (YPP).

The forum said its assessment showed that one candidate was “overwhelmingly considered suitable” to represent what it described as the aspirations and interests of the Eggon people.

“In the light of the above, we wish to formally declare that one of our sons, Rt. Hon. Dr David Emmanuel Ombugadu of PDP, is hereby declared to be the consensus candidate of the Eggon people,” the communiqué stated.

The forum appealed to the five other candidates to support and rally behind Ombugadu, saying unity was necessary to achieve what it described as the collective political aspiration of the Eggon people.

It also appealed to other ethnic nationalities in Nasarawa State to support Ombugadu’s candidature.

The forum urged Eggon people across the state to embrace its decision, while acknowledging that individuals could have divergent political interests.

“It is very normal for us all to have our divergent interests, but the collective interest of the land is supreme,” it said.

Wider consultations ongoing

However, the President of Eggon Youth Nationwide and Eggon Cultural Development Association (ECDA), Friday Haruna, who witnessed the meeting, said the broader Eggon stakeholder process had yet to conclude.

Haruna said he was invited to witness the proceedings and understand the outcome of the meeting, adding that while he acknowledged the forum’s decision, wider consultations were still required to harmonise the different positions.

“I want to believe the Eggon critical stakeholders are still sitting to make sure we come up with a particular candidate, which I may not be able to say it is here contrary to what our parents’ body wants,” he said.

He said the various stakeholders would still meet to harmonise their positions before announcing what would become the collective political direction of the Eggon people.

Haruna said the forum was entitled to make its own decision but stressed that broader consultations would determine the eventual direction.

“Just like I said, it’s a forum, and they choose to endorse one of the candidates. The Eggon are still going to sit and harmonise what they did, and it’s going to be pronounced, and everybody will know the direction,” he said.

He also urged governorship candidates seeking the support of voters to demonstrate their acceptability by clearly presenting their programmes and personalities to the electorate.

“If you have a good product that you took to the market, you don’t need to advertise it. Definitely, sell yourself,” Haruna said.