A former Accountant‑General of Nasarawa State, Dr Zakka Yakubu, announced on Sunday that he will vie for the 2027 governorship on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking at a rally in Akwanga Local Government Area, Yakubu said his campaign will be built around an “inclusive administration” and a “people’s budget” that places community priorities at the centre of fiscal planning.
Yakubu, who served as the state’s Accountant‑General, outlined a model in which local councillors and members of the State House of Assembly would canvass their wards and constituencies to identify pressing needs before projects are incorporated into the state budget. “If people need support in the health sector and the government is busy constructing roads, then there is a mismatch,” he warned. “Some communities need schools and the government may be doing something entirely different. That is not good.”
The proposed people’s budget would, according to Yakubu, eliminate “white‑elephant” projects and redirect resources toward interventions that directly improve citizens’ welfare. “When you know the problems of the people, you will solve them according to what they want. This type of budget brings faster development because it focuses on the exact needs of the people,” he said.
Yakubu expressed gratitude to supporters who have encouraged his candidacy and pledged to prioritise community‑driven development projects if elected. His declaration comes as the APC prepares for its internal primaries ahead of the 2027 elections, a contest that will determine the political direction of Nasarawa State for the next four years.
The announcement adds a new contender to a field that already includes several former officeholders and business leaders. Analysts note that Yakubu’s focus on participatory budgeting could reshape campaign discourse, prompting other candidates to articulate clearer plans for resource allocation and community engagement.
As the APC’s primary timetable unfolds, Yakubu’s next steps will involve securing the party’s nomination and expanding his outreach beyond Akwanga. His emphasis on a bottom‑up budgeting approach may influence policy discussions not only in Nasarawa but also in other Nigerian states considering similar fiscal reforms.
