Nasarawa tribunal sacks Gov Sule, declares PDP’s Ombugadu winner

The governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, has nullified the election of Governor Abdullahi Sule and declared candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), David Ombugadu, winner of the election.

Daily Trust reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 18 election. 

But Ombugadu approached the tribunal challenging Sule’s declaration as winner, alleging that the election was characterised by irregularities. 

Delivering judgment yesterday, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, ordered the withdrawal of Certificate of Return issued to Sule in the March 18, election.

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The panel, in a two against one dissenting verdict, affirmed Ombugadu winner of the election.

Meanwhile, there was a dissenting judgement delivered by Justice Ibrahim Mashi, member of the panel who dismissed the petition filed by the PDP candidate for “lacking in merit.”

Mashi ruled that the petitioner had failed to prove his case, and therefore, upheld the declaration of Sule of the APC as valid winner of the election.

I’ll appeal judgement – Sule 

But in an interview with newsmen after the judgement, Sule said he would seek redress at the appeal court.

He said, “I remain governor of Nasarawa State untill I appeal the judgement and the law also permits me to appeal. Whatever that happened at that moment, I still remain the governor untill we go to the supreme court.

“And for that reason, I want to use this opportunity to thank our numerous supporters, especially, our major stakeholders and particularly, our youths, including the women wing who sacrificed their time and energy and the security agencies for standing in the rain to support me and the party.

PDP hails judgement, congratulates Ombugadu 

Reacting to the judgement, the PDP congratulated its candidate, Ombugadu, describing the judgement as the will of the people.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, in a statement, said, “The ‘unfaultable’ verdict of the tribunal is victory for democracy and the triumph of the will of the people of Nasarawa State in their quest to liberate their state from the stranglehold of corrupt, oppressive and manipulative forces.

“Our party commends the Nasarawa State governorship election petition tribunal for its courage in upholding the will of the people and showing that indeed the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.

“This tribunal judgement points to the fact that the outcome of a proper application of the laws, rules and facts by the judiciary, as witnessed in this case, will always confirm and validate the will of the people.

“Our party salutes the resoluteness, courage and dexterity of the good people of Nasarawa State in insisting that their will as expressed at that election be upheld.”