The Nasarawa State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed its disapproval of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s decision to file an appeal against the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s verdict, which removed him from office. The tribunal had ousted Sule, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and declared David Ombugadu of the PDP as the rightful winner of the gubernatorial election in Nasarawa State.
In a statement issued by, Mike Omeri, the Director of Media and Publicity for the Ombugadu Campaign Organization, questioned the timing of Governor Sule’s appeal submission. Omeri suggested that this late-night filing might have been a deliberate ploy to obstruct the PDP candidate’s progress. There are suspicions that this late filing aimed to prevent Ombugadu from filing a timely notice of cross-appeal, as mandated by the law.
Omeri contends that such a move is an attempt to hinder the due process and fairness of the legal proceedings, which only serves to exacerbate an already contentious electoral dispute. The campaign organization emphasized the importance of a fair and transparent legal process, devoid of any manipulative tactics that could undermine the democratic principles at play.
The statement from the campaign organization reads as follows: “The Ombugadu Campaign Organization is deeply troubled by Governor AA Sule’s recent actions, filing an appeal challenging the Election Tribunal’s verdict that removed him from office at 10 pm on a Sunday night. This untimely and unusual filing appears to be a deliberate attempt to impede our candidate, Hon. David Ombugadu, who the tribunal declared the winner of the March 2023 governorship election in Nasarawa State. Clearly, the hidden motive was to prevent him from filing a notice of cross-appeal in a timely manner as prescribed by law.
“The timing of Governor Sule’s appeal filing raises questions regarding transparency, fair play, the pursuit of justice, and adherence to due process. This further underscores the unorthodox manner in which they seem determined to secure victory at any cost, regardless of the potential chaos it might create.
“Dr. Ombugadu has stated on numerous occasions that his ambition is not worth the shedding of any common person’s blood, be it a man, woman, or child, nor the destruction of property.
“The late-night weekend timing also suggests a lack of willingness to engage in a fair and open legal resolution of the matter at hand. We firmly believe that justice should not only be done but should also be seen to be done for the sake of our people and our democracy.”
CREDIT: DailyPost
