Nassarawa, Nigeria.
Peaceful protest in Lafia over governorship election result. Some Nasarawa State residents from the state’s 13 local government areas protested peacefully on Saturday in Lafia, the state capital, against the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, which declared Governor Abdullahi Sule the winner of the state’s 2023 governorship election.
On October 2, 2023, the governorship election petitions tribunal dismissed Sule of the All Progressives Congress and pronounced David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party the winner of the race.
Unsatisfied with the tribunal’s decision, the governor filed an appeal to overturn it and confirm his election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
During the protest on Saturday which commenced at the Welcome to Lafia City Gate and ended at the Stadium Junction, the women and youths dressed in black while wielding leaves.
They also carried signs with messages like “The Law Should Protect Us On Merit, Not Technicalities;” “Nasarawa Mourns For The Soul Of Democracy;” and “President Tinubu, Please Save Our Democracy,” to name a few.
Following the three-hour-long demonstration, the Convener of the Nasarawa State Coalition of Indigenous People,
Kefas Tigga accused the appeal court of imposing Sule on the people of the state.
As a result, he petitioned the Supreme Court to do the right thing by carefully reviewing the facts and data in the case and pronouncing the genuine winner of the election.
Tigga stated, “The appeal court’s new normal has created a dangerous precedent that undermines the fundamental principle of majority rule.” Indigenous peoples’ rights, as represented via their ballots, must be maintained and upheld without compromise.
“For far too long, Nasarawa State has been subjected to external control, primarily driven by economic exploitation, neglecting the welfare and security of our citizens and their properties. Our people have faced persecution because of their religious beliefs or ethnic affiliations.
“We are here today to bring to light the fact that David Ombugadu of the PDP was rightfully elected governor on March 18, 2023.” INEC’s incorrect proclamation of Audu Sule as the winner was a glaring departure from the actual democratic process.
“We are hereby calling upon the international community, including the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, European Union, and the United States, whose commitment to democratic values is renowned, to come to our aid in Nasarawa State. We must safeguard our democracy against external influences and ensure that the right of indigenous people to determine their destiny is respected.
“Our last hope is that the Supreme Court, the ultimate arbiter of justice, will uphold our laws and allow the voice of the majority to triumph over mere technicalities.” Let this be an opportunity for the Supreme Court to reaffirm its commitment to democratic values and the rights of indigenous people. We implore the Supreme Court to correct this injustice and enforce the true will of the people of Nasarawa State.”