The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal had on October 2, 2023, sacked Governor Sule of the All Progressives Congress and declared Ombugadu as the winner of the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Unsatisfied by the tribunal judgment, the incumbent governor filed an appeal to set aside the judgment and affirm his election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
In a statement issued to journalists in Lafia on Friday by the APC Publicity Secretary, Chief Douglas Otaru, he said going further to the Supreme Court on the matter would be a waste of time and resources to members of the PDP in the state.
Otaru added that the judgment was a testament to the trust and confidence the people of the state have in the present administration and the unwavering commitment of Governor Sule to the progress and development of the state.
He said, “This triumph has again, validated and reaffirmed the overwhelming support our Party and its candidate has continued to receive from the majority of the people of the state which hitherto translated to our victory during the March 18 governorship election.
“This judgment which is a reflection of APC’s popular acceptability can best be described as a big win for democracy and victory for the good people of Nasarawa State. It has further rekindled the hope of the common man which was almost dashed by the uncertainties which pervaded the political atmosphere and the needles distractions it has caused the APC/Sule-led administration.
“We are equally not unaware of the mutual distrust and security infractions this whole debacle has brought to our dear state since after the election and the aftermath of the tribunal ruling. By this judgment, the good people of the state can now heave a sigh of relief from anti-democratic tendencies and extreme conservatism of the opposition PDP.”
The party, therefore urged its supporters and members to celebrate the victory with all sense of responsibility, while urging members of the PDP to put aside all their differences and rally behind the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule to move the state forward.
“It is imperative at this trying moment of our national life that we unite as a state, transcend beyond political and ethnic affiliations, and harness our collective strength and resources for the betterment of our dear state.
“Doing this in our considered opinion will serve as an opportunity to bridge the gap between political divides and foster a spirit of cooperation and collaboration in order to realize the collective aspirations and yearnings of the citizens of the state bearing in mind that there has to be a Nasarawa State before either APC or PDP could lead at any given time and opportunity,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, our correspondent reports that the PDP has rejected the judgment and commenced arrangements to approach the Supreme Court to seek redress.