Former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Dr. David Emmanuel Ombugadu, has explained that the lingering crisis and leadership tussles within the party forced him to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ombugadu, who contested the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections under the PDP platform, said the internal wrangling and legal battles among party leaders had practically weakened the party’s structure, leaving members at the grassroots politically stranded.
He spoke on Thursday in Akwanga Local Government Area during a stakeholders’ meeting of Eggon leaders where thousands of supporters gathered to endorse him for the Nasarawa North senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the protracted court cases and leadership crisis rocking the PDP made it difficult for committed members to remain in the party.
“Why I left the PDP was because there was practically no PDP. The party is in court and the court is holding the PDP. The big men of the PDP are fighting themselves and it is affecting us at the low level,” he said.
Ombugadu explained that the development compelled him to reflect deeply on his political future and the platform through which he could best serve the people of Nasarawa North.
“If I was to contest for an elective position in the state, which party would I have joined? I had to think deeply about it,” he stated.
He said after careful consideration he decided to align with the ruling party in order to position himself to attract development to his constituency.
“The wisdom of Solomon entered me and I decided to join the moving train and to join President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I saw the light which many people are yet to see,” he said.
The former PDP governorship candidate noted that Nigerians from different backgrounds were already rallying around the President in support of his administration.
“Today many people are joining Tinubu — the rich, the poor, professors, doctors, governors and all kinds of people. The essence is to give my people the dividends of democracy,” he added.
Ombugadu maintained that contesting under the ruling party would enable him attract greater development to Nasarawa North if elected into the Senate.
“For me to work effectively in the Senate when I win the election under the ruling party, bringing employment opportunities and other dividends of democracy to my people will be very easy,” he said.
At the meeting, thousands of Eggon stakeholders from across Akwanga Local Government Area openly endorsed Ombugadu’s senatorial ambition, pledging their support for his political movement.
Those present at the gathering included the Nasarawa North PDP Zonal Chairman, Hon. Jacob Ali, PDP officials at the local government and ward levels, as well as leaders of the Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA), the ECDA Women Wing and the Eggon Youth Association, among other community leaders.
Ombugadu also used the occasion to express support for the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule, whom he described as a committed leader determined to transform Nasarawa State through infrastructural development.
According to him, the governor’s projects are spread across the three senatorial zones of the state, demonstrating his commitment to equitable development.
“Governor Sule has shown character, strength and the will to develop the state. He is transforming Nasarawa and working in all zones,” he said.
“There is a flyover in the northern zone, another in the southern zone and one in the western zone. There is also another one in Karu. This shows he has the people in mind.”
He therefore called on residents of the state to continue supporting the governor to enable him consolidate on his development agenda.
The former governorship candidate also dismissed speculations that he may emerge as a deputy governorship candidate to another aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections.
“That is the language of blackmailers. They are distractors and people should not pay attention to such fallacies,” he said.“For all I know, 2027 will decide. Governor Sule is our own and when the time comes we will know what to do.”
Speaking on behalf of the women, a community leader, Mrs. Mary Anzaku, described Ombugadu as a symbol of hope for the Eggon people and pledged the support of women across the area.
According to her, many women now see him as the face of the Eggon nation.
“We see Ombugadu as the face of the Eggon nation. To us he is a replica of the late Godiya Akwashiki. We urge him to continue doing the good work,” she said.
She noted that the women were prepared to mobilise massive support for him ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ombugadu, while appreciating the massive turnout of supporters, also spoke about ongoing efforts to bring development to the area, including initiatives to provide solar-powered electricity to communities in Lafia, Akwanga and Nasarawa Eggon.
According to him, the project is aimed at improving electricity supply and boosting economic activities in the affected communities.
“I have taken steps to bring solar-powered electricity to Lafia, Akwanga and Nasarawa Eggon so that our people can enjoy stable power supply and improve their businesses. Development must touch the lives of the ordinary people,” he said.
He further announced that he would reward supporters who promote the Tinubu, Ombugadu political movement ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, a cash reward of N3 million would be given to anyone who composes and sings a campaign song promoting President Tinubu and his senatorial ambition.
He also donated several millions of naira to support logistics for the thousands of supporters who attended the stakeholders’ meeting.
