After the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal nullified Governor Abdullahi Sule’s victory on Monday, Emmanuel Ombudagu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, has advised the governor to accept defeat and perish the thought of appealing the judgment.
Ombudagu asserted that the electoral trust bestowed upon him by the people of Nasarawa State is unquestionable.
According to a statement from Mike Omeri, the Director of Media and Publicity for the David Umbugadu Campaign Organisation, the PDP candidate is prepared to collaborate with all political rivals to rescue Nasarawa State from its current challenges, intending to chart a course towards peace, security, and lasting development for the state.
It’s worth noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Sule as the winner of the March 18 election.
After the announcement, Ombudagu proceeded to the tribunal to contest his opponent’s win.
In a virtual session, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, the tribunal’s chairman, affirmed Ombugadu of the PDP as the duly elected governor of Nasarawa.
In response to the verdict, Ombudagu remarked that the tribunal’s ruling underscores 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 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.”