Ombugadu vs AA Sule: Tension in Nasarawa, Abuja as Appeal Court gives judgement

The Court of Appeal in Abuja is currently under heavy security ahead of a crucial judgment in the legal battle over the Nasarawa State Governorship election. All access points to the Appellate Court have been sealed off by security personnel from the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Civil Defense Corps.

As a result of the road closures, both private and commercial vehicles that typically use the Federal Secretariat roads have been redirected to alternative routes. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is working to manage the increased traffic caused by the security measures.

The security measures are reportedly implemented by the court management to prevent any potential unrest following the judgment.

All individuals entering the court premises, including staff, lawyers, litigants, and journalists, are undergoing thorough security checks at the main gate.

Despite numerous journalists being accredited for coverage, only five are allowed inside the courtroom due to limited seating capacity and the necessity for crowd control, according to a court official.

Political party officials and their supporters who arrived early have been granted access to the court premises, while others are being kept at a distance by armed mobile policemen.

The legal dispute centers on the Nasarawa State Governorship election results, with incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) facing off against David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a previous development, the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, in a majority decision of two to one, annulled Governor Sule’s election, citing a failure to secure the majority of lawful votes cast during the March 18 gubernatorial election. The tribunal declared Ombugadu, a former member of the House of Representatives, as the rightful winner.