By Ken Afor
There appears to be unrest in Lafia, the Nasarawa State Capital, following the Supreme Court’s reversal of the nullification of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s election victory by the Election Tribunal on Friday.
It would be recalled that on October 2, 2023, the governorship election petition tribunal in Lafia sacked Governor Sule, declaring David Ombugadu, the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the duly elected governor.
In a divided ruling, two judges concurred that the PDP emerged as the winner, while the remaining judge dissented.
During the tribunal proceedings, the PDP presented compelling evidence, including the testimony of panel leader Ezekiel Ajayi. Ajayi stated that Mr. Ombugadu provided evidence from multiple polling units, along with forms EC 8A, demonstrating that the election results had been manipulated in favor of the APC.
Ajayi further emphasized that, based on the evidence from various polling units, Mr. Ombugadu had secured the majority of valid votes during the election.
However, following the appeal filed by Governor Sule and his party, APC, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal overturned his dismissal and rejected the tribunal’s decision on November 23.
According to the appellate court, the tribunal made a legal error by determining that Governor Sule did not secure the majority of legitimate votes in the election. The court emphasized that the evidence presented to the tribunal was legally unacceptable, leading to the declaration of the PDP candidate as the rightful winner of the governorship race.
Discontented with the verdict of the appellate court, the PDP and its candidate sought recourse in the Supreme Court, only to face defeat in their case on Friday. The ruling delivered by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun held that the appeal lacked merit.
Following the pronouncement of the apex court, a group of women, including widows, took to the streets in Lafia to protest against the judgment.
