.…Legislative Affairs, State Development, 2027 Politics Top Agenda
The Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, Ph.D., and his predecessor, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, have held a closed-door meeting in Lafia, the state capital.
The meeting took place on Saturday at the Lafia residence of Speaker Jatau in the Project Quarters.
Balarabe Abdullahi, who currently serves as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Yobe State, visited his successor for discussions believed to have centred on legislative and political issues.
Although the details of the meeting were not officially made public, sources said issues concerning the Nasarawa State House of Assembly as an institution, state development, unity and preparations for the 2027 political season formed part of the discussions.
The meeting is considered significant given the increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections and the fact that both political leaders hail from the Western Zone of Nasarawa State.
Jatau represents Kokona West State Constituency, while Balarabe Abdullahi is from Toto Local Government Area.
Jatau Hosts Legislative Predecessor
Speaker Jatau, popularly associated with the title “Garkuwan Eggon Worldwide,” hosted Balarabe Abdullahi, described as his legislative and political friend and the Wali Opanda.
Jatau succeeded Balarabe Abdullahi as Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
Before becoming Speaker, Jatau served as Speaker of the Kokona Local Government Legislative Council, Chairman of Agwada Development Area and held other political appointments, including serving as Special Assistant to a former Deputy Governor and former Minister.
He is currently serving his third term as member representing Kokona West in the State Assembly.
Balarabe’s Legislative Record
Balarabe Abdullahi served as Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly for about eight and a half years, spanning the Fifth and Sixth Assemblies and part of the Seventh Assembly.
His tenure as Speaker covered the period from 2015 to 2023, before Jatau emerged as his successor.
The meeting between the two former and current legislative leaders is coming at a period when political consultations are gradually intensifying across Nasarawa State.
It was also gathered that the meeting came nearly six weeks after Balarabe Abdullahi reportedly met with the State Accountant General and former Speaker of the Assembly, Dr. Musa Ahmed Muhammad, Baraden Nasarawa.
The latest meeting has therefore attracted attention within political circles, particularly against the backdrop of the emerging 2027 political calculations in the state.