Tribunal ruling: Nasarawa West stakeholders cry out, back Gov Sule, optimistic of justice at appeal

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By Francis Nansak, Lafia

Stakeholders of All Progressive Congress from Nasarawa Western Senatorial Zone have insisted that Governor Abdullahi Sule remains the elected executive governor of the state, disregarding the verdict of the two justices who upheld that David Ombugadu was duly elected during the 18th March, 2023 governorship election.

The stakeholders comprising chieftains , stalwarts, serving commissioners, local government chairmen from Karu, Keffi, Kokona , Nasarawa and Toto resolved that Governor Abdullahi Sule remains the governor of the state today, tomorrow and will complete his 8years tenure of office in 2027 .

Their position and resolution was made known in a World Press Conference and Town Hall Meeting in solidarity with the Governor of Nasarawa State, which was conveyed by Critical Political Stakeholders drawn from across the entire Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone, held in the Keffi Legislative Chamber on Friday.

Briefing the press, the chairman organizing committee who is also the APC Zonal Chairman Nasarawa West, Honourable Isaiah K Agah posited that it was very imperative for them, not just as members of the ruling All Progressive Congress in Nasarawa State, but as men and women of good conscience , agents of change , ambassadors of peace, proponents of justice, unity and advocates of harmonious inter-ethnic and religious coexistence to expressed their minds.

He maintained; “we the critical stakeholders in Nasarawa West want to unambiguously re-affirm our unflinching loyalty, support, trust and confidence in His Excellency, Engineer Abdullahi Sule having turned out enmass and massively voted for him during the 18th March governorship election.

“Taking a decision on the verdict of the tribunal which nullified the election of the Governor in a dissenting judgement, the stakeholders strongly expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling of the tribunal, even though one among the three man panel of judges provided a glimmer of hope by presenting a dissenting opinion in the matter.

“The entire people of Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone are not happy over the tribunal judgement and would therefore wish to convey our dissatisfaction with the ruling for people of conscience to weigh the matter with a view to taking appropriate steps to avoid the glaring miscarriage of justice”.

They however commended the maturity demonstrated and the decision so far taken by Governor Abdullahi Sule, who already has rooted for redress in line with the dictates of the constitution and electoral act, by appealing the ruling of the lower court.

“We wish to draw the attention of the public on the manifest of shortcoming observed by legal practitioners, which we hope would be addressed appropriately by the court of appeal” Isaiah noted.

Contributing, commissioner of education, Dr John Mamman, Honourable Mohammed Babashehu and James Thomas, both of Keffi, and Karu local government areas called for calm as they assured that the Appeal Court will reaffirm the mandate of Governor Abdullahi Sule.

On his part, Dr John Mamman, who is the immediate past APC State Chairman and now Commissioner of Education during a question and answer session told journalists that the solidarity for Engineer Abdullahi Sule became necessary on the bases of assuring the citizens of Nasarawa State that Engineer Abdullahi Sule remains the elected governor of the state, therefore there is need for calm as the appeal court will by the grace of God reaffirm him as the duly elected governor of the state.

He urges the people of Nasarawa State not to be distracted by detractors who are bend on grabbing power by force for their selfish aggrandizement .

While the chairman, Keffi Local Government, Hon. Baba Shehu reeled out the dividend of democracy the administration of Engineer Sule has brought to Keffi, which according to him was the factor used to vote for the governor massively by people of Keffi in the last conducted governorship election in the state.

Earlier, the revered paramount ruler of Keffi Emirate Council, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa111 wished for a peaceful solidarity rally as he enjoined the stakeholders to enshrined peace at all times by maintaining good relationship with one another as one family.