Nasarawa Governorship: Tribunal Takes Decision On Judgement In PDP’s Petition Against APC

Nasarawa Governorship: Tribunal Takes Decision On Judgement In PDP’s Petition Against APC

The Nasarawa State governorship election petitions tribunal in Lafia, the state capital, has deferred its ruling on a petition brought forth by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Mr. David Ombugadu, contesting the re-election of Governor Abdullahi Sule from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This decision came after the final written arguments were presented by all legal representatives involved in the case.

During the presentation of their final written arguments, INEC’s lead counsel, Ishaka Muddie Dikko (SAN), urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition, contending that it was unwarranted. He stated that the vote difference mentioned by the petitioners was indicated in exhibit RW2. Dikko noted that the petitioners asserted that they would have led with 841 votes, but the PDP had not substantiated any wrongful deduction of votes.

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Chief Wale Olanipekun (SAN), who represented Governor Abdullahi Sule, echoed the sentiment while presenting their final written address. He explained that the tribunal’s responsibilities had been reduced in terms of evidence, legal positions, and the testimonies of some prosecution witnesses. He affirmed that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to admit the witnesses and their documents submitted by the petitioners. He further argued that the PDP failed to secure 25% in any of the 13 Local Government Areas of the state during the election, and called for the dismissal of the petition.

Dr. Hassan Liman (SAN), counsel for the APC, also emphasized the dismissal of the petition in his final written address, asserting that it lacked merit. He described it as a “waste of resources of the good people of Nasarawa State.” Relying on certain documents accepted as exhibits before the tribunal, Dr. Liman stated that Governor Sule led the election with 64,193 votes. He argued that the petitioners had essentially ruled against themselves.

During the proceedings, Kanu Agabi (SAN), the lead counsel for the PDP, introduced a list of authorities in their final written address. However, this was contested by the respondents’ counsels, who argued that the document was submitted after the stipulated time frame.

Following the arguments presented by all parties, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, the tribunal’s chairman, decided to reserve judgement on the matter.