19/06/2026
Time To Showing Capacity ***** Who Is Your Candidate?
Barr. Danladi Halilu Evulanza (APC), Hon. Labaran Maku (Labour Party), Hon. David Ombugadu (PDP), Hon. Arc. Duba Dodo (NDC), Hon. Alaku Mohamed Steve Ahmad (ADC), Hon. John Paul Araneshri (NNPP)
Nasarawa North Decides: Six Candidates, One Senate Seat, and a Battle That Could Reshape 2027 Politics
NASARAWA NORTH BY-ELECTION: WHO WILL BE THE NEXT SENATOR?
The stage is set, the candidates are known, and the people of Nasarawa North are preparing for a crucial decision that could redefine the political landscape of the district ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Following the release of the final list of candidates by INEC, six prominent contenders have emerged in the race to fill the vacant Nasarawa North Senatorial seat:
• Barr. Danladi Halilu Evulanza (APC)
• Mr. Labaran Maku (Labour Party)
• Dr. David Ombugadu (PDP)
• Arc. Duba Dodo (NDC)
• Alaku Mohamed Steve Ahmad (ADC)
• John Paul Araneshri (NNPP)
With the by-election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, political calculations, grassroots mobilization, and voter turnout are expected to determine the eventual winner.
THE CONTEST IN FOCUS
Each candidate enters the race with unique strengths, political structures, and messages aimed at winning the hearts of voters.
The APC is banking on incumbency, government structure, and access to federal power. Labour Party's Labaran Maku brings experience, name recognition, and strong appeal among youths and supporters of the party's growing movement. PDP's David Ombugadu relies on his established political network and strong grassroots support built over the years.
Meanwhile, the NDC, ADC, and NNPP candidates are positioning themselves as alternatives capable of disrupting the dominance of the traditional political heavyweights.
WHAT WILL DETERMINE THE OUTCOME?
The election may ultimately come down to four critical factors:
1. Grassroots Mobilization
By-elections are often won at polling units, not on social media or rally grounds. The party that successfully mobilizes supporters to vote may gain the decisive advantage.
2. Ethnic and Geographic Balancing
Akwanga, Wamba, and Nasarawa Eggon remain key battlegrounds. Candidates who build bridges across ethnic and community lines stand a stronger chance of victory.
3. Party Structure and Election-Day Presence
Strong ward structures, polling agents, and voter coordination will be crucial in a contest expected to be highly competitive.
4. Voters' Desire for Change or Continuity
Will voters reward experience and established structures, or will they embrace a new political direction? That question may shape the final result.
WHY THIS ELECTION MATTERS
This by-election is more than a contest for a Senate seat. It is widely seen as an early indicator of political momentum heading into the 2027 elections.
A - An APC victory would strengthen the ruling party's influence in the zone.
B - A Labour Party victory would signal the continued rise of a third-force movement and potentially energize the party's ambitions ahead of 2027.
C - A PDP victory would reaffirm the party's relevance and reinforce its position as a formidable opposition force in Nasarawa State.
D - A surprise victory by NDC, ADC, or NNPP would send shockwaves across the political landscape and prove that voter choices are increasingly driven by candidates rather than party labels.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Nasarawa North by-election presents voters with a choice between competing visions: ruling-party access, tested experience, and emerging political alternatives.
As election day approaches, one question remains:
Who will earn the trust of the people and emerge as the next Senator of Nasarawa North?
The answer will not only determine representation in the Senate but could also shape the political direction of Nasarawa State heading into 2027.
