The Social Democratic Party has selected former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar Adamu as its candidate for the 2027 Nasarawa State governorship election.

Adamu emerged after the party conducted a fresh primary to replace Musa Adamu Angba, who had earlier been nominated as the SDP’s candidate before withdrawing from the race.

The replacement primary took place in Lafia following the party’s notification to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The SDP had requested INEC’s participation in monitoring the exercise, which was organised under the direct-primary system.

Adamu’s emergence is the latest development in a rapidly evolving political contest in Nasarawa.

The former police chief had previously sought the APC governorship ticket but failed to secure the nomination.

He later joined the SDP, where his political future became a subject of discussion because the party already had an existing governorship candidate.

The withdrawal of Angba eventually created the opportunity for the party to conduct another primary.

Adamu emerged from that exercise and was declared the new SDP flagbearer.

The former IGP has welcomed the development and indicated his readiness to contest the election under the SDP platform.

His candidacy gives the party a nationally recognised figure as it prepares for the 2027 election.

The SDP will now need to translate that recognition into grassroots support throughout Nasarawa State.

The governorship contest is expected to involve several political parties, making organisation, voter mobilisation and campaign messaging critical factors.

For Adamu, the election will also mark a major step in his transition from Nigeria’s top police leadership into electoral politics.

The former police chief is expected to campaign on issues relating to security and governance, while the wider election debate will also focus on development and economic concerns in Nasarawa.

With the replacement primary concluded, the SDP’s candidate for the governorship election has now been settled.