Nasarawa Communities Embrace APC Over Road Project

In a major political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Gbuku, Gbuchu and Kambre communities in Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa State have dumped the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Under the aegis of the Gbukun-Gbunchu-Kambre Solidarity Forum, the three Mada-speaking communities said they will mobilise bloc votes for all APC candidates at the presidential, governorship and legislative levels in 2027.

The resolution was reached on Sunday at a town hall meeting held at the cultural playground, Gbuku Madaki, which attracted traditional rulers, religious leaders, elders, women, youths and professionals from the three communities.

Reading the communique, the convener of the forum, Prof. Samuel E. Alu, said the decision followed extensive consultations among the people at home and in the diaspora, and was anchored on collective development interest.

Alu said the forum had resolved to work collectively and peacefully to deliver APC candidates in 2027, including President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abdullahi Sule, whom the Forum endorsed for the Nasarawa North Senatorial District seat.

He said the communities were swayed by the interventions of the APC-led administration in the state, particularly the completion of the 17-kilometre Gbuku-Gbuchu-Kambre Road, popularly known as the Buku Madaki Road, which has eased movement and economic activities in the area.

According to him, the positive impact of the Sule administration on the Mada communities necessitated the realignment.

However, the Forum listed critical areas requiring urgent government attention.

“We intend to communicate the concerns of the people of Gbuku, Gbuchu and Kambre, particularly the issue of insecurity, to the state government and other stakeholders,” Prof. Alu stated.

He said despite relative peace in Nasarawa, the communities remain vulnerable to farmer-herder clashes, kidnapping and armed robbery, calling for decisive security action.

Prof. Alu also identified youth unemployment as a ticking time bomb, noting that scores of graduates from the communities are without gainful employment, while residents still depend largely on streams for drinking water.

He appealed to the state government to provide potable water, improve healthcare and education infrastructure, and create job opportunities for the teeming youths.

The town hall also resolved to promote voter education, lawful political mobilisation and peaceful participation before, during and after the 2027 elections.

The Forum urged community leaders, women, youths and professionals to maintain unity, promote tolerance and issue-based engagement, while respecting divergent political choices.