Following the nullification of the victory of Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Monday, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Emmanuel Ombudagu, has urged the governor to concede defeat and perish the thought of appealing the judgement.
Ombudagu said the electoral mandate handed over to him by the people of Nasarawa State is beyond reproach.
Guardian reported that the Director Media and Publicity, David Umbugadu Campaign Organisation, Mike Omeri, in a statement, said the PDP candidate was ready to work with all political opponents to recover Nasarawa State from the brink in order to discover a pathway for peace, security and sustainable development of the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Governor Sule winner of the March 18 election.
However, following the declaration, Ombudagu headed to the tribunal to challenge his opponent’s victory.
Delivering the judgement virtually, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, declared Ombugadu of the PDP as the lawfully elected governor of Nasarawa.
Reacting to the judgement, Ombudagu said the ruling of the tribunal highlights the “tenacity of the resolve of a broad spectrum of the people of Nasarawa State to seek and secure justice from the pretenders who usurped our electoral mandate and appropriated it to themselves.”
He said, “What the people of Nasarawa State have demonstrated will further strengthen our democracy and the importance of upholding the principles of justice and accountability in our electoral process. We hail the tribunal for its diligent and impartial consideration of the evidence presented, leading to this historic and landmark decision.
“Ombugadu’s unwavering commitment to serving the people of Nasarawa State has been vindicated.
“Throughout the pursuit to recover his stolen mandate, he has remained steadfast in his belief that justice would prevail. Today, we celebrate not only a legal victory but also a triumph for the democratic aspirations of the people of Nasarawa State.
“We wish to express our profound appreciation to the teeming supporters and well-wishers of Dr. David Ombugadu who stood by him with unwavering loyalty and determination. Your faith in the democratic process and your commitment to our cause have been the driving force behind this victory.
“We also recognize the tireless efforts of our legal team, whose dedication and expertise were instrumental in presenting our case before the tribunal. Their meticulous preparation and passionate advocacy have been pivotal in achieving this outcome.
“As we move forward, we remain committed to the principles of good governance, inclusivity, and service to the people of Nasarawa State.
“As we continue to engage with our supporters and other political stakeholders, we recognize the right of Alhaji Abdullahi A. Sule to appeal this judgment but we urge him to perish the thought as the electoral mandate handed over to Dr. Ombugadu by the people of Nasarawa State is beyond reproach.
“We extend a hand of friendship to all our political opponents to join us and recover Nasarawa State from the brink in order to discover a pathway for peace, security and sustainable development of the state.
“Once again, we thank the judiciary, the people of Nasarawa State, and all those who have stood with us in our pursuit of justice. Together, we will build a brighter future for our beloved state and posterity.”
