The Nasarawa State Election Petition Tribunal has declared David Ombugadu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) the winner of the Nasarawa State Governorship Election, effectively sacking the incumbent Governor, Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the Tribunal, led by Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, gave the ruling on Monday.

In the ruling, two of the justices agreed that the election was won by the PDP while one judge dissented.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lafia had in March declared Abdullahi Sule, the winner of the governorship election in Nasarawa State.

Prof Ishaya Tanko, the INEC returning officer said Sule polled a total of 347,209 votes to defeat his closest opponent, David Ombugadu, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 283,016 votes.

The Tribunal, earlier in the day, also dismissed a petition filed by the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) challenging Governor Sule’s victory for lacking in merit.

More to follow…

The governor of Kaduna State, Sen Uba Sani is extremely delighted and humbled by the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal affirming his victory in the 2023 Kaduna State Governorship Elections.

The judgement is an unequivocal affirmation of the popular mandate graciously given to me by the good people of Kaduna State. I commend the Tribunal for their thoroughness and lucidity. They have enriched our jurisprudence and practice of electoral democracy

I also commend my dear brother, Hon. Isah Ashiru Kudan for approaching the Tribunal to ventilate his grievances. This is a clear demonstration of his belief in the principles of democracy and the imperative of civility in the conduct of political actors.

I call on Hon. Isah Ashiru and members of the opposition parties in Kaduna State to join hands with us as we strive to move our dear state to a higher level. We are all stakeholders in PROJECT KADUNA. It is not about personal glory. Our people want all hands to be on deck to address the myriad challenges confronting the state. If political actors are united, a clear signal will be sent to our people that the quest for peace, security, progress and development of our state are the driving forces of our participation in politics.

I call on our party faithful to moderate their celebration of this victory. They must individually and collectively extend an olive branch to our brothers and sisters in other political parties. Instead of celebrating, we should bow down in prayers to the Almighty God for His continued guidance and protection. Let us focus on the tasks ahead.

Senator Uba Sani,

Governor, Kaduna State.

September 28th, 2023

There is palpable tension in Enugu State as the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu would deliver its judgment on the petitions challenging the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Peter Mbah, as the winner of the 2023 governorship election.

Naija News reports that the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Chijioke Edeoga, is challenging Mbah’s victory.

The Justice Kudirat Morayo Akano-led three-member tribunal had on Tuesday announced today’s judgment date to kick off by 9 a.m.

Edeoga and LP had gone to the tribunal contesting, among other things, the authenticity of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate presented by Mbah, whom the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the election winner.

They also alleged that Mbah failed to fulfill his mandatory youth service obligations before assuming a political post in 2003, just as they contested the validity of the votes accrued during the electoral process.

The petitioners raised allegations of comprehensive electoral malpractice and rigging, particularly in Owo and Ugbawka wards in Nkanu East, Enugu East, and Udenu local governments, where they alleged that computation errors reduced their votes.

However, there were robust legal arguments and citations during the hearing, with both parties presenting the tribunal with witnesses and evidence that were accepted as exhibits.

Security sources told Daily Sun that adequate security arrangements have been made by the various security agencies spearheaded by the Police to ensure no breakdown of law and order