Ahead of the 2027 election, elders of the All Progressives Congress in the Northern Senatorial District of Nasarawa State have appealed to a former deputy governor, Silas Agara, to join the governorship race.

The elders, under the aegis of the APC Elders Forum, made the call on Sunday in the Akwanga Local Government Area of the state, at a meeting with Agara.

The former deputy governor currently serves as the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the spokesperson of the group, Monday Nanza, said they decided to visit the NDE boss to push him to join the governorship race in 2027.

He said the forum believed he was the ideal candidate to succeed Governor Abdullahi Sule, considering his wealth of experience in politics and governance.

Nanza described Agara as a grassroots politician who had served in various capacities since 1999, noting that among the about 20 persons from the APC who had declared interest in succeeding the incumbent governor, Agara stood out as the most qualified, going by his track record.

“Agara has paid his dues since he first entered into the political arena. He possesses the necessary skills to govern Nasarawa State effectively, if given the opportunity.

“We have consulted with all aspirants expressing interest in the governorship, but none has the political credentials of Silas Agara.

“This is why we are here today, urging him to present himself for this crucial position,” Nanza added.

The PUNCH reports that Agara hails from the same local government area as the incumbent governor, who is currently serving his second term in office.

The Akwanga-born political icon’s rise to prominence began in 2003 when he was appointed as commissioner for youth and sports by ex-Governor Abdullahi Adamu, at a remarkable young age.

Since then, Agara’s exceptional leadership and charisma have been consistently reflected in the various offices he has held, including his appointment as commissioner for budget and economic planning by the late former Governor Aliyu Doma in 2007.

Agara served as special adviser on special duties and sports from 2011 to 2015 and was elected deputy governor from 2015 to 2019 during the tenure of ex-Governor Umaru Al-Makura.