On Saturday, citizens of Nasarawa State convened in Lafia, the state capital, to engage in nonviolent protest against the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal, which upheld Governor Abdullahi Sule’s victory in the 2023 governorship race.
Marching from the Welcome to Lafia City Gate to the Stadium Junction, ladies and adolescents wearing black clothing and holding leaf banners participated in the demonstration that took place in all 13 local government areas.
The protest is being held against the backdrop of the October 2, 2023, ruling of the governorship election appeals tribunal, which declared David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party the legitimate winner and voiding Sule’s victory under the All Progressives Congress.
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Governor Sule, unfazed, filed an appeal of the tribunal’s decision, hoping to reverse the verdict and confirm his election victory as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
With posters reading things like “President Tinubu, Please Save Our Democracy,” “Nasarawa Mourns For The Soul Of Democracy,” and “The Law Should Protect Us on Merit not Technicalities,” protestors emphasised their need for a just and equitable election process.
Kefas Tigga, the convener of the Nasarawa State Coalition of Indigenous People, charged the Court of Appeal of forcing Governor Sule on the people of the state after the three-hour demonstration.
Tigga filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, requesting a careful examination of the case’s data and facts to ascertain the election’s true victor and preserve the values of democracy.
Tigga said, “The new normal established by the appeal court has created a dangerous precedent that undermines the fundamental principle of majority rule. The rights of indigenous people as expressed through their votes must be protected and upheld without any compromise.
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“For far too long, Nasarawa State has been subjected to external control, primarily driven by economic exploitation, neglecting the welfare and security of our citizens and their properties. Our people have been under persecution based on either their religious beliefs or their ethnic affiliations.
“We are here today to shed light on the fact that David Ombugadu of the PDP rightfully won the governorship election held on March 18, 2023. The wrongful declaration of Audu Sule as the winner by INEC was a clear deviation from the true democratic process.
“We are hereby calling upon the international community, including the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, European Union, and the United States, whose commitment to democratic values is renowned, to come to our aid in Nasarawa State. We must safeguard our democracy against external influences and ensure that the right of indigenous people to determine their destiny is respected.
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“Our last hope lies with the Supreme Court, the final arbiter of justice, to stand firmly by our laws and allow the voice of the majority to prevail over mere technicalities. Let this be a moment for the Supreme Court to reiterate its commitment to the principles of democracy and protect the rights of indigenous people. We implore the Supreme Court to correct this injustice and enforce the true will of the people of Nasarawa State.”
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