On Tuesday, the Supreme Court reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the Court of Appeal’s decision that reinstated Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule. The five-member panel, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, adjourned the matter for judgment after hearing arguments from the counsel.
The state election petition tribunal had earlier nullified the governor’s election, declaring David Ombugadu, the PDP candidate, as the winner of the March 18, 2023 election. The tribunal, in a split decision, held that the PDP candidate provided evidence substantiating his claim of election manipulation in favor of Sule.
However, the Court of Appeal overturned the tribunal’s decision, stating that it wrongly relied on the evidence of eight PDP witnesses whose statements were not front-loaded with the petition. In response, Ombugadu appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court’s decision on this appeal will have significant implications for the political landscape in Nasarawa State, as it will determine whether Governor Abdullahi Sule’s reinstatement stands or if the earlier decision of the election petition tribunal will be upheld.
