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Tag: Ombugadu

  • S’Court verdict: PDP’s Ombugadu appreciates supporters, calls for calm in Nasarawa

    S’Court verdict: PDP’s Ombugadu appreciates supporters, calls for calm in Nasarawa

    Following the Supreme Court verdict restating Governor Abdullahi Sule as winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Nasarawa State, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) David Ombugadu has expressed gratitude to supporters while calling for calm and unity among them. 

    Ombugadu made the call in a statement on Friday night he personally signed. 

    The statement reads in part: “Let me express my heartfelt appreciation to my teeming supporters and the people of Nasarawa State for your unwavering support during the 2023 governorship election and throughout the legal journey that just ended at the Supreme Court. 

    “While the outcome may not have been what we had hoped for, the strength and dedication displayed by you and countless others during this period have not gone unnoticed. Your commitment to the principles of democracy, justice, and the ideals we hold dear has been truly inspiring.

    “Though the court’s verdict did not align with our expectations, let us remember that our shared values and dedication to the betterment of Nasarawa State remain steadfast. I am grateful for the trust and belief you placed in me throughout this journey. Your support has been a source of strength, and I am honored to have had such dedicated supporters by my side.

    Read Also: Declare me winner of Nasarawa governorship poll, Ombugadu tells Supreme Court

    “As we navigate the path forward, let us continue to uphold the spirit of unity and resilience that defines our state and country in general. Together, we can contribute to the progress and development of Nasarawa State, irrespective of the challenges we may face.

    “Once again, thank you for your unwavering support. It is the collective efforts of individuals like you that truly make a difference. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you, and I look forward to the continued collaboration towards a brighter future for Nasarawa State.”

  • Declare me winner of Nasarawa governorship poll, Ombugadu tells Supreme Court

    Declare me winner of Nasarawa governorship poll, Ombugadu tells Supreme Court

    • Apex court reserves judgment in Kebbi, Nasarawa governorship disputes

    The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Mr. David Ombugadu, yesterday asked the Supreme Court to declare him the winner of the March 18, 2023 election in the state because of over-voting.

    He said the decision of the Court of Appeal, which validated the re-election of Governor Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was wrong.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had returned Sule as winner of the poll.

    But the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, on October 2, 2023, nullified the election of Governor Sule.

    The governor headed to the Court of Appeal, which restored his mandate on November 23, 2023.

    The two parties renewed the battle for the governorship seat at the Supreme Court yesterday in Abuja.

    Ombugadu insisted that there was over-voting during the governorship poll.

    The PDP candidate said the Court of Appeal erred to have recomputed the results of the election in favour of Sule.

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    The PDP candidate said since Sule did not dispute all the documents he presented at the tribunal and the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court should uphold his election victory.

    Also, the Supreme Court yesterday reserved judgments in the appeals seeking to sack Governors Abdullahi Sule and Nasir Idris of Nasarawa and Kebbi states.

    The candidate of the PDP in Kebbi State, Major General Aminu Bande, and the party, are, by the appeal, praying the court to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed Idris’ election as earlier done by the election tribunal.

    The first appeal heard yesterday by a five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, was filed by Ombugadu and the PDP.

    Their lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), adopted his written briefs and urged the court to allow the appeal, set aside the judgment of the lower court and restore the earlier judgment of the tribunal.

    Lawyer to Sule, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), prayed the court to dismiss the appeal, “which is lacking in merit and substance”.

    Olanipekun urged the court to affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal, “which is unassailable and impeccable”.

    Lawyer to the APC, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), also prayed the court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the decision of the court of appeal, which he said fitted with the recent decision of the Supreme Court delivered last Friday.

    Lawyer to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Akin Olujinmi (SAN), also urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lack of merit.

    Olujinmi urged the court to affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Kekere-Ekun announced that the court’s decision in the appeal heard would apply to the other three appeals on the same dispute.

    Arguing the appeal by Bande and the PDP, their lawyer, Damian Dodo (SAN), urged the court to allow the appeal and set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

    The respondents’ lawyers – Usman Sule (SAN), Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), Kehinde Eleja (SAN), and Abdullahi Yahaya (SAN) – urged the court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the concurrent decisions of the two lower courts.

    Justice Kekere-Ekun also announced that the judgment in the appeal heard would apply to the other appeals which also relate to the governorship disputes.