Emmanuel David Ombugadu, who ran as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Nasarawa State in 2019 and 2023, has explained his recent departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC). He said his initial move to the APC was motivated by a desire to support President Bola Tinubu's agenda in the state. Speaking during a visit to the Correspondents Chapel office in Lafia, Ombugadu stated that frustration within the APC led to his return to the PDP. He did not specify the nature of the frustrations but maintained that his political realignment does not affect his support for Tinubu.
Ombugadu affirmed his commitment to ensuring Tinubu's re-election in 2027, pointing to the award of the Akwanga-Jos road construction contract as a key reason. He said poor road conditions had cost him personal relationships and that the federal government's intervention on the road project strengthened his resolve to back the president's infrastructure goals. Despite switching parties, he insisted his loyalty to Tinubu's development vision remains intact.
Ombugadu's return to PDP while backing Tinubu exposes the growing disconnect between party loyalty and presidential allegiance in Nigerian politics. His praise for the Akwanga-Jos road contract suggests infrastructure projects are becoming political currency, not just development milestones. This alignment may boost Tinubu's 2027 prospects in Nasarawa, but it also signals that support hinges on visible projects, not party structures. For voters, it reinforces that politicians pivot on promises, not platforms.
