A member of the House of Representatives, Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba, has officially withdrawn from the Nasarawa State governorship race ahead of the 2027 general elections and announced his intention to contest for the Senate seat representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District.
Nalaraba, who currently represents Awe, Keana and Doma Federal Constituency, made the announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting of his campaign council held at his office in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
The lawmaker explained that his decision came after what he described as extensive consultations with party leaders, constituents, political associates, and respected elders across the state.
According to him, the move was carefully considered and reflects a broader commitment to party unity and political stability.
“This decision is not borne out of fear, weakness, or lack of capacity, but guided by wisdom, political maturity, and a sincere commitment to preserving unity, peace, and progress within our great party and the state,” he said.
Nalaraba noted that his governorship campaign had over the past several months built a significant political structure spanning all 147 wards, the 13 local government areas, and the three senatorial zones of Nasarawa State.
He highlighted several interventions undertaken by his political team, including the distribution of palliatives, scholarship support for indigent students, and empowerment initiatives targeted at widows and young people across the state.
The federal lawmaker also declared his support for the position of Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who has endorsed Aliyu Wadada for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He pledged to deploy his political network and grassroots support base to ensure the success of the party’s preferred governorship candidate during both the APC primary election and the general election.
Nalaraba said his decision to pursue the Senate seat followed repeated calls from political stakeholders and constituents within the Nasarawa South Senatorial Zone who urged him to seek representation at the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
“This decision reflects my continued commitment to serve and advance the cause of our people at a higher legislative level,” he stated.
While acknowledging that the senatorial race would present its own challenges, the lawmaker expressed confidence in his readiness to take on the responsibility.
His withdrawal from the governorship contest is seen as a significant development within Nasarawa’s political landscape, as it strengthens the APC’s internal alignment ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
Political observers believe the move could help consolidate party unity while reshaping the dynamics of both the governorship and senatorial contests in the state.
What You Should Know
Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba’s withdrawal from the Nasarawa governorship race reflects ongoing political realignments within the APC ahead of 2027.
By stepping down and backing the governor’s preferred candidate, he signals support for party cohesion over personal ambition. His switch to the Nasarawa South senatorial race positions him for a new political challenge while leveraging his existing grassroots structure.
The move is likely to influence internal APC calculations in Nasarawa and could strengthen the party’s efforts to avoid divisive primaries as political stakeholders continue to consolidate ahead of the elections.
