By Yahaya Idris
Former Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, has urged residents of Umaisha/Ugya State Constituency to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other candidates he described as capable of delivering effective representation in the 2027 elections.
Balarabe, who served as Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly for eight years and some months, gave the charge on Saturday when he visited his country home, Umaisha, in Toto Local Government Area to meet with constituents and discuss political developments ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former Speaker, who is currently Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Yobe State, also donated ₦4 million naira to women and youth groups as part of efforts to encourage and support them.
https://globaltimesnigeria.com/2026/09/08/2027-balarabe-speaks-on-toto-politics-backs-wadada/
Addressing a mammoth crowd that gathered to receive him, Balarabe Abdullahi said the time had come for politicians and citizens to begin making decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The election period has finally come. The time has come to do the main politics. That is why I came down to reason with you and ask for your support,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the people of Umaisha/Ugya for supporting his political journey from 2015 to 2023, saying their support contributed significantly to his emergence and continued political relevance.
According to him, he would not have attained what he described as the “political Zenith” or served as Speaker for eight years and some months without the backing of the people.
Balarabe Endorses Tinubu, Wadada, Faisal, Albasheer, Muntaka
The former Speaker reaffirmed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, as well as Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada for Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Shuaib Faisal for the Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Hon. Mohammed Yerima Albasheer for the Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency and Hon. Muhammed Muntaka for the Umaisha/Ugya State Constituency.
He explained that his endorsement of the candidates was based on what he described as their capacity, political commitment and potential to attract development to the constituency and the state.
Balarabe also recalled that President Tinubu appointed him Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu.
On Wadada, he said the Senator had worked assiduously towards linking Umaisha with Kontonkarfe in Kogi State through a road project, although the project did not materialise.
He, however, pledged that efforts would be made to construct a bridge across the River Benue at Umaisha.
He also noted that Senator Wadada had through motion and Bill seeking the establishment of College of Fisheries and Aquatic science in Umaisha
‘The Time Has Come for Toto‘
Speaking on the Nasarawa West senatorial race, Balarabe recalled that the last time somebody from Umaisha, Toto LGA, represented the area in the Senate was in 1989 when Senator Ibrahim Abubakar emerged before losing his seat in court to Mr. Thomas.
He said the people of Toto Local Government now had an opportunity to produce another representative at the National Assembly.
He therefore urged the electorate to support Dr. Shuaib Faisal.
On the Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency, Balarabe described Mohammed Yerima Albasheer as his “brother and true friend” of Toto Local Government.
He expressed confidence that Albasheer and Faisal would work together at the National Assembly to advance the interests of the people.
Criticism of Incumbent Lawmaker
Balarabe also criticised the performance of the incumbent member representing Umaisha/Ugya State Constituency, Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad.
He openly told the crowd that Sa’ad had not met the expectations of constituents and called for the election of what he described as a more vibrant representative.
The former Speaker said his experience as a former legislator who won his election three times and served as Speaker made him well positioned to educate voters about legislative responsibilities.
He cited Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, Daniel Ogah Ogazi, Solomon Akwashiki and Adamu Muhammed Omadefu, popularly known as Quality, among legislators he described as examples of effective representation.
Projects During His Tenure
Balarabe also highlighted some of the projects and interventions he said were facilitated during his time in office.
They included the facilitation of the 48-kilometre Umaisha/Toto road, construction of two-storey school buildings, renovation of schools across the six electoral areas, provision of transformers to boost electricity supply, scholarships for indigenous students, empowerment programmes for women and youths, donation of vehicles and motorcycles, sewing machines and flyboats, as well as assistance in securing employment for young people in the federal and state civil services.
Former PDP Supporters Join Political Movement
The gathering also featured speakers from different political backgrounds.
Hajia Kumajo Yusuf, a former APC Umaisha Ward women leader and Umaisha District coordinator, criticised the incumbent lawmaker and said that his interventions had failed to meet the expectations of constituents.
Alhaji Gombo Isah, a PDP stakeholder, apologised to Balarabe for supporting Sa’ad against him during the 2023 election and appealed for forgiveness.
He said that Sa’ad had abandoned many of those who supported his election.
Similarly, Alhaji Awal Kabawa thanked Balarabe for accepting to lead what he described as the struggle for the emancipation of the people of Umaisha/Ugya and Toto LG as a whole
Baba Sani, a PDP youth leader in Umaisha Ward, also apologised for his role in the 2023 political contest and described the incumbent lawmaker as a total disgrace
The gathering brought together supporters and stakeholders from the APC, PDP, SDP, ADC and other political tendencies, with speakers expressing support for the political direction announced by Balarabe.
The former Speaker’s donation of ₦4 million to women and youth groups formed part of the activities aimed at strengthening grassroots engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.