— PDP candidate pledges farm protection, commercial agriculture
— Seeks road expansion in Lafia
By Edwin Philip, Lafia
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Dr David Ombugadu, has promised to improve security across the state, assuring residents that they would be able to go to their farms and sleep without fear if elected governor in 2027.
Ombugadu gave the assurance on Thursday at the party’s campaign rally in Lafia, where he said protecting farmers was critical to preventing food insecurity and hunger.
He said about 80 per cent of the state’s residents were farmers, arguing that insecurity affecting agricultural communities could undermine food production and livelihoods.
“Nasarawa State will police our farms. I stand for innovation, and we are going to establish an intelligent backroom to ensure that the state is safe for investors and visitors and becomes a commercial hub for the entire country,” he said.
“Our state will be a model of development under my watch. I want to assure you today that under my watch, you will go to your farms and sleep in the farms,” he added.
The three-time governorship contender also pledged to move the state’s agricultural sector away from subsistence farming towards commercial-scale production.
He said the state’s vast agricultural land offered opportunities to expand production and improve residents’ living standards if farmers received the necessary support and security.
“It is unfortunate that the kind of farming practice we have is one that just feeds the stomach. We will introduce commercial-scale farming so that all of you can afford the basic things of life,” he said.
Ombugadu thanked the people of Lafia for supporting his previous governorship bids in 2019 and 2023, urging them to remain committed to the PDP ahead of the 2027 election.
He said the party’s strength rested on its supporters and called on them to work together to secure victory and protect their votes during the election.
“Without you, we cannot win. With you, we will win together. With you, we must protect our votes together,” he said.
He added that the party was working towards what he described as the recovery of its mandate in Nasarawa State.
On infrastructure, the PDP candidate called for the expansion of Lafia’s road network, particularly to Bukan Sidi, which he said had significant commercial activity but lacked adequate road access.
Also speaking at the rally, the state PDP chairman, Dr Daniel Joel Gimba, described the party as people-centred and claimed it had a strong grassroots presence across Nasarawa State.
Gimba expressed confidence in the party’s prospects in the 2027 election and said it would present candidates for elective offices from the Senate to the State House of Assembly.
He endorsed Ombugadu’s candidacy, citing his previous governorship bids in 2019 and 2023, and urged party supporters to remain united.
The PDP campaign train had earlier visited Awe and Keana, where it addressed issues including insecurity, infrastructure, agriculture and human capital development.
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