COURT VERDICT: HUNDREDS OF PDP SUPPORTERS EMBARK ON PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINST JUDGEMENT IN NASSARAWA 25-11-22
By Sadiq Aminu Hundreds of supporters of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Nasarawa State have embarked on a peaceful protest over the recent appeal court judgment against the Candidate of the party in the March 18 Governorship Election, Dr David Ombagadu.
The protest disrupted vehicular movements along Lafia – Jos road in the Nasarawa State capital.
Last Thursday, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja in a unanimous judgement by the chairman of the three member panel , Justice Uchechukwu Onuemenam ruled that Alhaji Abdullahi Sule of All Progressives Congress APC was the winner of the March 18 2023 Governorship election.
The Appellate Court reversed the ruling of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which had in a split judgment of two against one, nullified the election of Alhaji Abdullahi Sule and declared Dr David Ombagadu of the PDP winner of the election.
However, the judgment of the Appeal Court did not go down well with the peoples Democratic Party PDP in Nasarawa State hence supporters of the party mostly women and youths, trooped out in large numbers, fully dressed up in black attires and marched along Lafia – Jos road displaying placards with various comments which include, “May God bless the Judges who still fear God”, “Nigeria Supreme is our last Hope of Democracy” and “Nasarawa Mourns for the Soul of Democracy”.
In an interview, Spokesperson for the protesters Mr Kefas Tiga said the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition fell short of addressing the main issues in the case.
A retiree Mrs Lydia Auta who stated that the protest was in the interest of democracy, rule of law and good governance appealed for the intervention of President Bola Tinubu to ensure that justice and wishes of the people prevail.
Meanwhile, since the judgment of the appeal court, security situation in Lafia metropolis and some major areas across Nasarawa State has remained tight.