The All Progressives Congress has selected Emmanuel Ombugadu as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 Nasarawa State governorship election.

Governor Abdullahi Sule announced Ombugadu’s emergence after an APC stakeholders’ meeting held at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Monday.

Sule said the decision followed consultations among aspirants who had expressed interest in the position. According to him, the aspirants agreed to support whoever emerged, in the interest of party unity.

He said, “It was agreed that Honourable Emmanuel Ombugadu will be our deputy gubernatorial candidate of the party.”

The governor urged party members to remain united ahead of the 2027 election, stressing that the APC could not afford to go into the poll divided.

The APC governorship candidate, Senator Ahmed Wadada, also welcomed Ombugadu’s selection, saying the decision reflected the position of the party leadership and zoning considerations.

Wadada appealed to other aspirants, particularly Dr Kigbu, who was reportedly considered a strong contender for the position, to accept the outcome and work for the success of the party.

Reacting to his selection, Ombugadu expressed appreciation to Governor Sule and other party stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him.

He acknowledged that some aspirants might have been disappointed by the decision but said their pledge to remain loyal to the APC would strengthen the party ahead of the election.

Ombugadu was the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 Nasarawa election, where he challenged Sule’s victory through the courts