The highly anticipated judgment on the gubernatorial dispute in Nasarawa State is scheduled to be delivered by the Supreme Court on January 19th. The case involves the appeal filed by David Ombugadu, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the victory of Governor Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The confirmation of this development came from Mallam Ali Abare, a media aide to Governor Sule, who cited reliable sources in a statement issued on Thursday. The Supreme Court’s decision follows the recent submission of briefs of arguments from all involved parties, with the court reserving judgment for a later date.
In the gubernatorial election held on March 18, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the APC’s Sule as the winner. Dissatisfied with the outcome, PDP’s Ombugadu filed a petition at the Election Tribunal, which was granted on October 2nd.
Governor Sule contested the Tribunal’s decision, seeking redress at the Appeal Court. Eventually, the Appeal Court set aside the Tribunal’s judgment and reinstated Sule as the winner of the election.
It is noteworthy that ahead of the Supreme Court’s judgment, leaders of both political parties signed a fresh peace accord. This signing ceremony took place at the state Police Command Headquarters in Lafia, with the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Shehu Nadada, pledging to deal decisively with anyone who foments trouble before, during, and after the judgment.
