CENTUS NWEZE Reporting
Mr David Umbugadu, the Nasarawa State governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and the state chapter of the party have dragged governor Abdullahi Sule to governorship election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lafia, the state capital, challenging the declaration of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Audu Alhaji Sule, as winner of the March 18, 2023 election in the state.
PDP alleges that the election was rigged in favour of APC.
PDP is approaching the court to seek redress.
Speaking after his legal team submitted the petition in Lafia on Thursday, the PDP governorship candidate, David Ombugadu, expressed optimism that he would reclaim his mandate through the courts.
He said the process has started and is optimistic that his stolen mandate would be returned back to me.
The PDP candidate further urged his supporters not to relent in prayers, expressing confidence that with the help of God, he would emerge victorious.
On his part, the Director General of the PDP campaign council in the state, Labaran Maku, said the submission of the petition by the Ombugadu’s legal team marked the beginning of a legal battle that could potentially change the outcome of the just concluded governorship election.
“It is expected that the tribunal will commence sitting soon to hear the petition filed by the PDP candidate.”
“The outcome of this case would determine the future of Nigeria Democracy and the political landscape of Nasarawa state. It would also be a test of the Nigerian judiciary’s ability to deliver justice and maintain the integrity of the electoral process,” Maku added.
Independent National Electoral Commission had announced Sule, who is the incumbent Governor as the winner of the election, after he polled 347,209 votes to defeat Ombugadu who got 283,016 votes