By Roseline Okafor — Lafia
The political battle ahead of the 2027 elections in Nasarawa State has taken a fresh turn, as leaders backing former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, have faulted the position attributed to APC House of Representatives hopeful, Hon. Daniel Ogazi, that the development of Karu Local Government Area is primarily the responsibility of the Federal Government.
The rebuttal, issued by former Karu Local Government Chairman, Hon. Joseph Maisamari Kaura, described the position as a sign of “weak leadership” and an inadequate understanding of political representation and governance.
Kaura, who spoke on behalf of the Mohammed Abubakar Adamu camp, insisted that local government development cannot be treated as a responsibility to be outsourced to Abuja.
“Local government development is not an outsourced duty. It is the first point of contact between government and the people. It covers community roads, primary healthcare, basic education, markets, drainage, and security coordination,” he said.
The statement has further intensified political debate around who should take responsibility for development challenges confronting Karu, particularly communities within the rapidly expanding Abuja metropolitan corridor.
‘Stop Shifting Responsibility to Abuja’
Kaura acknowledged that the Federal Government has responsibility for national policy, federal infrastructure and major projects.
However, he argued that elected representatives across the three tiers of government are expected to lobby, legislate, attract development projects and work with relevant authorities to address the needs of their constituents.
According to him, political representation should not be reduced to pointing fingers at another tier of government whenever development challenges arise.
He also took exception to an analogy reportedly used by Ogazi, in which Karu was compared to a territory “sealed to the Federal Government the way Bakassi was sealed to Cameroon.”
Kaura described the comparison as unacceptable, arguing that residents of Karu, Mararaba, Masaka and One-Man Village are not interested in political excuses but concrete solutions to their everyday challenges.
What Karu Residents Want
The Adamu camp listed several areas it said should receive urgent attention from political representatives, including legislation and advocacy for improved federal intervention in border local government areas facing intense population growth.
It also called for constituency projects targeting federal roads traversing Karu and stronger collaboration among the Federal, Nasarawa State and local governments to tackle housing pressure, waste management, infrastructure deficits and security challenges along the Abuja-Karu corridor.
Kaura said the responsibility of a representative is to identify these challenges, engage the appropriate authorities and pursue solutions rather than disclaim responsibility.
“Anyone who starts by saying the job is not his will not deliver any of the above,” the statement said.
2027 Battle for Karu, Keffi, Kokona
The controversy comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with aspirants and political camps increasingly seeking to convince voters that they possess the capacity to deliver effective representation.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/battle-of-ridgeway-books-of-remembrance-9.7304758
Kaura urged voters across the constituency to examine the records, competence and understanding of the candidates before casting their ballots.
He argued that the people need representatives who understand the constitutional responsibilities of different levels of government and can effectively work across the Federal, State and Local Government structures.
“Karu LGA is not for sale, not for ‘sealing,’ and not for relocation. It is for development. And that development starts with representatives who show up to do the work,” Kaura said.
The statement concluded that the Mohammed Abubakar Adamu camp would prioritise what it described as responsible representation, accountability and constructive engagement with government institutions rather than shifting responsibility for local challenges to Abuja.
The latest exchange is expected to further heat up the political contest in the Karu, Keffi and Kokona axis as stakeholders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
