The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Dr David Emmanuel Ombugadu, has lamented what he described as the multidimensional poverty confronting residents of the state, citing poor schools, bad roads, a weak healthcare system and high youth unemployment.
Ombugadu stated this on Tuesday during his campaign rally in Keana Local Government Area, where he outlined his development priorities and promised to address the challenges if elected governor in the 2027 governorship election.
He argued that the condition of public infrastructure, inadequate access to quality healthcare and education, and the high number of unemployed youths had compounded the difficulties facing residents, insisting that the state needed a development approach that directly improved the people’s living conditions.
The PDP candidate said his administration would prioritise road infrastructure, education, healthcare and employment generation, with a focus on communities whose development needs had remained pressing.
He also promised to promote tourism by reviving traditional festivals and exploiting the state’s cultural heritage to create economic opportunities for residents.
Ombugadu specifically pledged to revive the Arago Fishing Festival and other traditional fishing festivals, saying the initiative would help attract visitors, promote local culture and stimulate economic activities in host communities.
He said tourism could become an important source of income and employment if the state’s cultural attractions were properly developed and promoted.
On road infrastructure, the governorship candidate promised to improve connectivity between communities in Nasarawa State and neighbouring states, including Plateau, Taraba and Benue.
He explained that the proposed roads would enable communities separated by state boundaries to reconnect with their kinsmen, while facilitating the movement of people, agricultural produce and other goods.
Ombugadu cited communities with cultural, family and economic ties across state boundaries, including Tiv communities in Awe Local Government Area, arguing that improved road networks would strengthen those relationships and expand commercial activities.
He described the proposed projects as part of a border-community development policy intended to reduce isolation, improve accessibility and encourage cooperation between neighbouring populations.
The PDP candidate maintained that infrastructure development should extend beyond major towns to rural communities, where poor road networks can restrict access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services.
He also linked the proposed development agenda to the need to create more opportunities for young people, who he identified as among those most affected by the state’s economic challenges.
Ombugadu urged residents to support the PDP in 2027, presenting his proposed interventions as a pathway towards improving living standards and addressing the development challenges he highlighted at the rally.