Chuks Okocha in Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Dr. David Ombugadu, has said that the recent governorship election in Osun State has strengthened the party’s determination to challenge the power of incumbency in the 2027 general elections.
Dr. Ombugadu the outcome of the Osun election had shown that political power ultimately belonged to the people and could not be secured through incumbency or political alliances alone.
Ombugadu spoke after the party’s state congress at the PDP secretariat in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
He said the 2027 election would be driven by voters, who he expected to come out, cast their ballots and protect their votes.
“The Osun State election is proof that it is not going to be business as usual. The 2027 election is not about the power of the sitting governor, but about the power of the people,” Ombugadu said.
He added that voters would not allow a repeat of what happened during the 2023 elections.
Ombugadu said the PDP’s structure in Nasarawa remained strong despite the movement of some members to other political parties.
He recalled that the party won nine seats in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly in 2023 but currently has seven lawmakers after two members left the party.
According to him, the party is determined to increase its representation and win all 24 state Assembly seats, alongside the governorship election, in 2027.
Also speaking, the PDP state chairman, Dr. Daniel Gimba, said the Osun election had demonstrated that financial influence could not permanently determine voters’ choices.
Gimba said the party was encouraged by what he described as growing political awareness among Nigerians.
“It has come to a time now that the masses are fully aware that money cannot change their will,” he said.
He urged voters to cast their ballots, protect them and ensure that their choices were reflected in the final results.
The PDP chairman also said the party was receiving new members from other political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), contrary to claims that it was losing members.
“We are fully prepared and well-strategised for the 2027 elections. All we need is a peaceful and enabling environment where the people can come out, cast their votes and have their will protected,” Gimba said.
He added that the party would set up a reconciliation committee to move across the various zones and resolve grievances arising from the recent primaries.