The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Nasarawa State has faulted Governor Abdullahi Sule for filing an appeal against the verdict of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that removed him from office close to midnight on Sunday.
The tribunal had sacked Sule of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and declared David Ombugadu of the PDP as the winner of the governorship election in Nasarawa State.
In a statement made available to DAILY POST, Mike Omeri, the Director, Media and Publicity for Ombugadu Campaign Organization, said the timing of the submission of the Sule’s appeal has raised eyebrows and is viewed as a deliberate attempt to obstruct the progress of the PDP candidate.
Omeri has raised suspicions that the late-night filing was intended to prevent Ombugadu from filing a timely notice of cross-appeal, as prescribed by law.
He maintained that the move is an effort to hinder the due process and fairness of the legal proceedings, which will further complicate an already contentious electoral dispute.
The campaign organization stated the need for a fair and transparent legal process, free from any manipulative tactics that may undermine the democratic principles at play.
Parts of the statement reads, “The Ombugadu Campaign Organization is deeply concerned by the recent actions of Governor AA Sule, who filed his appeal challenging the verdict of the Election Tribunal that sacked him from office at 10 pm on a Sunday night.
“This untimely and unusual filing appears to be a deliberate attempt to frustrate our candidate, Hon. David Ombugadu, who was declared the winner of the March 2023 governorship election in Nasarawa State by the tribunal. Clearly, the hidden motive was to prevent him from filing a notice of cross-appeal in a timely manner prescribed by law.
“The timing of Governor Sule’s appeal filing raises questions about transparency, fair play, search for justice, and respect for due process.
“This further underscores the uncanny way through which they want to win at all cost, not minding the attendant chaos such might cause.
“Dr. Ombugadu has stated in several fora that his ambition is not worth the flow of blood of any common man, woman, or child as well as the destruction of properties.
“The late night weekend timing also suggests a lack of willingness to engage in a fair and open legal determination of the matter in issue. It is our belief that justice should not only be done but should also be seen to be done for our people and our democracy.”
