EXPERIENCE, CAPACITY, AND NETWORK: _Nalaraba’s Smooth Ride to the Senate
By Danmusa Mohammed
The coutdown to the 2027 general elections has continued to gather momentum, and with just days to the party primaries, the coast is getting clearer as to who are the pretenders and those that are genuinely ready and capable of foisting the flags to represent their political parties and eventually serve the people in various capacities.
In the current political landscape of Nasarawa State, few names command respect for legislative diligence and strategic maturity as Rt. Hon. Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba.
Currently representing the Awe/Doma/Keana Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives, Nalaraba has recently transitioned his 2027 ambitions from the governorship to the Nasarawa South Senatorial seat. This move, described as a masterstroke of political wisdom, highlights a candidate whose journey is fueled by three indispensable pillars: Experience, Capacity, and Network.
_The Pillar of Experience:_
A Tested Legislator,
Nalaraba is not a newcomer to the rigours of lawmaking, currently serving his second term in the National Assembly, where he has so impressively mastered the intricate processes of the Green Chamber- the experience of traversing the technically complex processes of national legislation especially at the green chamber where patience, negotiation, and the ability to build consensus across different interests remains a determinant.
This and many more makes Nalaraba a bundle of experience that is well equipped to be a worthy representative at the Red Chamber.
His experience garnered over the years is not necessarily associated with the offices and positions he has held, but over time, it is increasingly glaring that he has a grasp of universally accepted leadership laced by a clear insight on the workings of governance and decision making, people oriented policies and programmes, and to a very large extent, identifying critical issues and problems with a view to providing political solutions for the overall good of the people.
_Legislative Leadership :_
As the Chairman of the House Committee on Aids, Loans, and Debt Management, he occupies a critical role in overseeing national fiscal sustainability.
His legislative footprint includes sponsoring vital amendments to the Debt Management Office Act and the Civil Aviation Act. This include the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway Loan: The committee presented a report that led to the House approval of a ($516.33) million loan from Deutsche Bank to fund sections of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.Port Rehabilitation Facility: The committee reviewed and considered the request for a ($1,000,945,693.55) UK Export Finance (UKEF) facility for the rehabilitation of the Lagos and Tin-Can Island Port complexes.
Swap Financing: It reviewed the establishment of a ($5) billion Structured Total Return Swap External Financing Programme with First Abu Dhabi Bank. Infectious Disease Grant Probe: The committee previously conducted probes into the utilization of millions in foreign grants (from the Global Fund and US Aid) to tackle diseases like HIV/AIDS.
National Audit: It has been mandated to carry out comprehensive audits on loans obtained by both federal and state governments across the country.
Before his time in Abuja, he served as the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (2012–2018), where he was credited with digitizing operations and securing top-tier licensing for the state among several reforms that shaped the board and provides the platform for its sustainable growth and development.
_The Pillar of Capacity:_
Impact Beyond Rhetoric,
Capacity in leadership is measured by the tangible improvements in the lives of the people, and for Nalaraba, his "smooth ride" is paved with visible achievements
He has traversed the lenght and breadth of the state to extend his heart felt desire to get in touch with the people and genuinely impact on thier lives through support and collaboration, with special reference to the well executed scholarship scheme that is being benefitted by thousands of students across all 13 local government areas in Nasarawa State, palliative support and others too numerous to mention.
In what has now been termed as an unprecedented legislative diligence, Nalaraba became the sole instrument that facilitated the establishment of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Keana, a milestone for regional educational development. His interventions also range from rural electrification and solar-powered boreholes to quarterly "People’s Budget Clinics," ensuring his constituents remain informed about federal allocations, a trend not so popular with a sizeable number of his colleagues and peers.
He has sustained and maintained a close bond with his constituents also ensuring access to basic services, youth empowerment, infrastructure development, and economic opportunities. This awareness helps shape more realistic and people-focused policies that have continued to endear him to the people.
The Pillar of Network:
To all intent and purposes, a Bridge-Builder and
successful Senator must navigate both local grassroots and national power corridors. Nalaraba’s decision to withdraw from the governorship race in May 2026 to support Governor Abdullahi A Sule’s preferred candidate, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, underscores his status as a loyal party unifier and indeed, as His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa state Engr. Abdullahi A Sule rightly captured," Nalaraba has, by his actions, proved to be a man of integrity and impeccable character."
By placing party stability above personal ambition, he has consolidated his standing within the All Progressives Congress (APC), earning the goodwill of both state leadership and traditional institutions, including his titles as Sadaukin Lafia and Galadiman Keana.
_Strategic Alignment:_ His campaign structure, now redirected toward the Senate, is described as a "movement of friendship and family," boasting established roots across the 147 electoral wards of the state.
As it stands now, the consensus among stakeholders in Nasarawa South is clear: The zone requires a representative who does not need a learning curve!
With his blend of legislative mastery, a heart for the masses, and a vast network of national and local allies, Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba represents a choice of experience over experiment. His ride to the Senate is not just about a seat; it is a mission to scale his proven impact to the highest legislative level in the land.
The die is cast!
-Danmusa is a Journalist, Public Affairs Commentator and Media Strategist
