The Nasarawa State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, David Ombugadu, has filed a petition at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Lafia, the state capital, to challenge the declaration of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Audu Sule, as the winner of the March 18, 2023 elections in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had announced Sule, who is the incumbent governor, as the winner of the election after he polled 347,209 votes to defeat Ombugadu who got 283,016 votes.
Speaking shortly after his legal team submitted the petition in Lafia on Friday, the PDP governorship candidate expressed optimism that he would reclaim his mandate through the court.
“The process has started and I am optimistic that my mandate will be returned to me. I want to call on all my supporters to remain calm because I believe in the Nigerian judiciary. The case is very clear and the judicial system is the only hope for the common man,” he said.
The PDP candidate further urged his supporters not to relent in prayers, expressing confidence that with the help of God, he would emerge victorious.
On his part, the Director General of the PDP campaign council in the state, Labaran Maku, said the submission of the petition by the Ombugadu’s legal team marked the beginning of a legal battle that could potentially change the outcome of the just concluded governorship election.
“It is expected that the tribunal will commence sitting soon to hear the petition filed by the PDP candidate.
“The outcome of this case will determine the future of Nigeria’s democracy and the political landscape of Nasarawa State. It would also be a test of the Nigerian judiciary’s ability to deliver justice and maintain the integrity of the electoral process,” Maku added.
