Former Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, has openly declared his support for the governorship ambition of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada ahead of the 2027 general elections, while also endorsing Hon. Muhammed Yarima Albashir for the Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency seat.
Speaking to supporters at his residence in Umaisha, Toto Local Government Area, on Sunday, Balarabe said, “We are going to do Wadada, we are going to do Albashir, but I will tell you with a louder voice that I, Balarabe Abdullahi, will not do Sa’ad in the next elections.”
The immediate past Speaker made the declaration during a visit to his hometown for condolence engagements, using the opportunity to address his constituents and clarify his political position ahead of the 2027 polls.
Balarabe, who currently serves as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Yobe State, said his support for Senator Wadada was based on the lawmaker’s contributions to the development of the area.
According to him, Senator Wadada remains the first senator from the zone to genuinely stand for the interests of the people, citing his role in facilitating the establishment of a tertiary institution and a naval base in the constituency.
He explained that his recent remarks at the palace of the Ohimege of Opanda in Umaisha, where he called for prayers for Wadada ahead of the APC primaries, sparked controversy among some political stakeholders who interpreted the statement as an endorsement.
“My first and recent crime with some of our stakeholders was my comment at the Ohimege’s palace before our party primaries where I called for prayers for Senator Wadada. Many of them took offence and accused me of campaigning for him,” he said.
“I was taken aback by their reaction. This is politics. Even when I made that statement, they said I was campaigning for Senator Wadada. I wonder if I don’t have political rights or if I am anyone’s slave. Do I look like a slave to anyone?” he added.
The former Speaker maintained that he had reasons for supporting candidates he believes would advance the interests of his people, stressing that he would continue to stand with leaders who have demonstrated commitment to the development of the area.
While throwing his weight behind Wadada and Albashir, Balarabe notably declined support for the APC candidate for the Umaisha/Ugya State Constituency seat, signaling a significant shift in local political alignments ahead of the elections.
Balarabe served as Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly for three consecutive terms, making history as the longest-serving Speaker in the state. He represented Umaisha/Ugya Constituency and presided over the 5th Assembly from June 9, 2015, the 6th Assembly from June 10, 2019, and was re-elected Speaker of the 7th Assembly in July 2023 before his tenure ended on November 28, 2023.