Some protesters hit the streets of Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital following the Supreme Court’s ruling in favour of Governor Sule Abdullahi as the state’s duly elected Governor on Friday, January 19.
Angry protesters put barricades on the Sandaji junction on the Lafia-Jos Road and its surroundings. They burnt tires in protest against the apex court’s verdict.
The Supreme Court’s decision comes in response to an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, David Ombugadu, challenging the Court of Appeal’s judgment that recently affirmed Governor Sule’s victory in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.
In October, the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal (GEPT) nullified Governor Sule’s election, citing significant non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. The tribunal directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revoke the certificate of return issued to Governor Sule and issue it to Ombugadu.
Unsatisfied with this decision, Governor Sule and the All Progressives Congress sought relief from the Court of Appeal, urging it to overturn the Tribunal’s judgment and uphold his election as initially declared by INEC in March.
On Friday, January 19, Sule was reinstated by the Supreme court on rounds that the evidence earlier tendered by PDP witnesses lacked merit.
Security operatives were deployed to tackle the growing riot that started shortly after the decision was communicated by the court.
