2027: Former Nasarawa Speaker Balarabe Breaks Silence, Declares Support for Wadada, Albashir
By Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku Lafia
The immediate past Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, has publicly declared his political stance ahead of the 2027 general elections, throwing his weight behind Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada's governorship ambition and the candidacy of Hon. Muhammed Yarima Albashir for the Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency seat.
Balarabe made the declaration on Sunday during a visit to his hometown of Umaisha in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, where he had gone to condole with families over recent bereavements.
Addressing supporters at his residence in Umaisha, the former Speaker, who currently serves as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Yobe State, said his support for Senator Wadada and Albashir was based on their commitment to the development of the area.
He, however, distanced himself from the APC candidate for the Umaisha/Ugya State Constituency seat, declaring that he would not support the candidate in the forthcoming election.
According to Balarabe, some party stakeholders had taken offence at remarks he made at the palace of the Ohimege of Opanda before the APC primaries, where he called for prayers for Senator Wadada.
He said the comments were interpreted by some as a campaign for the senator, a development he described as unnecessary.
"This is politics, and I have the right to support whoever I believe will serve the interest of my people. I am not anyone's slave," he said.
The former Speaker stated that any candidate he publicly endorses enjoys his support for specific reasons tied to the welfare and development of his constituents.
"We are going to support Wadada, we are going to support Albashir, but I want to state clearly that I, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, will not support Sa'ad in the next election," he declared.
Balarabe explained that he had remained silent on political developments for some time because he believed there was a proper time to speak.
He praised Senator Wadada for what he described as his commitment to the development of the area, citing efforts that led to the establishment of a tertiary institution and a naval base within the constituency.
According to him, Senator Wadada remains the first senator from the area to demonstrate such commitment to the aspirations of the people, adding that his support for the governorship hopeful was based on confidence in his ability to deliver more developmental projects.
The former Speaker assured his constituents that he would continue to stand with them and would never betray their trust.
Balarabe represented Umaisha/Ugya Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and made history as the first Speaker in the state to serve three consecutive terms.
He led the 5th, 6th and 7th Assemblies before his tenure as Speaker ended on November 28, 2023.
