Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, has seen protests since the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Governor Abdullahi Sule’s election. Burning tires along the Lafia-Jos highway has caused inconveniences as demonstrators have totally blocked the route, which is a vital link to Benue and other areas of the Northeast.
As a result, businesses, banks, schools, and retail establishments in the city of Lafia have abruptly shuttered. Lafia’s lone roadway, which links it to other areas, is impassable, thus drivers must look for other ways to get out of the capital of Nasarawa State.
Car mechanic Mallam Dogo Audu stressed the need for more security personnel to be deployed in order to bring about peace, particularly in the state capital.
The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel, upheld the Court of Appeal’s judgment that invalidated the annulment of Governor Sule’s election. Governor Sule, affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the winner of the governorship election held in the state on March 18, 2023.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, delivering the lead judgment, dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, David Ombugadu, deeming it lacking in merit.
Earlier, the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal nullified Governor Sule’s election on October 2, 2023, citing over-voting in several polling units. However, following an appeal, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal reversed the decision on November 23, asserting that the tribunal had erred in concluding that Governor Sule did not win the majority of lawful votes.
Thick dark smoke in Lafia, justice has been slaughtered.
#nasarawastate@channelstv @SaharaReporters @ARISEtv #SupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/sqR2aGZBfp— Amb. Shekwoyemi I. Kure 🇳🇬 (@reallovekure) January 19, 2024
The appellate court emphasized the reliance on legally inadmissible evidence by the tribunal in declaring the PDP candidate as the valid winner of the governorship contest.