Victor EzejaResidents of Nasarawa State aggrieved with the Friday judgment of the Supreme Court on the March 18 2023 governorship election have stormed the streets in protest.
Video and pictures circulating on social media showed some residents of Lafia, the state capital, on the streets to protest the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe protesters blocked the Lafia-Jos Road and burnt tyres, while chanting anti-government slogans.
It was gathered that the development forced businesses and schools within the area to hurriedly close.
A video shared on X, formerly Twitter showed a road with barricades, burning tyres, and a crowd of people including women chanting sorrowful songs in protest of the Supreme Court ruling.
A 30-second video share on X showed a nak3d unarmed lady among the protesters who was shut by a law enforcement officer. While she fell and was rolling on the ground, other protesters were seen scampering for safety.
The five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, affirmed the election of Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after dismissing the appeal filed by David Umbugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Mr Sule as the winner of the election, an outcome that sparked protests in various parts of the state as supporters of Ombugadu alleged that the election was rigged in favour of Sule.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Supreme Court Affirms Oborevwori’s Election As Delta Governor
Sule was reelected for a second term of four years.
The PDP governorship candidate went to the governorship election petition tribunal to challenge the outcome. The tribunal sacked governor Sule, and declared Mr Umbugadu as winner of the poll.
Sule appealed the case at the Court of Appeal which on November 23, set aside the decision of tribunal.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Ombugadu approached the Supreme Court seeking nullification of the appellate court judgment.
However, the apex court in its ruling on Friday, upheld the Court of Appeal judgment. The court held that the appellate court was right in setting aside the decision of the tribunal, adding that Ombugau’s appeal lacks merit.
“The issues in this appeal are resolved against the appellant. The appeal lacks merit and it is hereby dismissed,” Justice Kekere-Ekun said.
Nigerians took to social media to react to the development.
Popular Nigerian activist and social critic, Aisha Yesufu, said “Nasarawa people were robbed of their mandate.”
“This is a coup on the people. They chose who they wanted and they were denied their mandate, it is another sad day for democracy in Nigeria,” the activist wrote on her X handle.
Another X user, Olusegun Onigbide @Seunonigbinde wrote: “Daylight robbery in Nasarawa. Just two wards had outsized results that changed the electoral dynamics. From Mr. Yakubu – who the law empowered to review – to the Supreme Court, abuse of democracy was reinforced.
However, Governor Sule while, said protest won’t change Supreme Court judgment, adding that all election disputes had been resolved by the apex court.
He called on his opponents in the election to join him in moving the state forward.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
Follow Us