Nasarawa Governorship: Tribunal Reserves Judgement In PDP’s Petition Against APC

• The Nasarawa State governorship election petitions tribunal reserves judgment after lawyers adopt final written addresses in the PDP’s petition
• INEC’s lead counsel requests dismissal of the petition, citing the lack of evidence for wrongful deduction of votes

The Nasarawa State governorship election petitions tribunal, sitting in Lafia, the state capital, reserved judgement yesterday in a petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in the March 18 election, Mr David Ombugadu, opposing the re-election of All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Abdullahi Sule.

This came after the adoption of final written addresses by all lawyers involved in the case.

In their final written address, INEC lead counsel, Ishaka Muddie Dikko (SAN), asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition on the grounds that it was unnecessary, citing the difference in votes as shown on exhibit RW2.

Dikko stated that the petitioners claimed in their final written address that they would have led with 841 votes if all witnesses had been called, adding that the PDP had not established any wrongful deduction of votes.

While adopting their final written address, Chief Wale Olanipekun (SAN), counsel to Governor Abdullahi Sule, stated that the tribunal’s job has been reduced in terms of evidence and position of the law, as well as the testimonies of some prosecution witnesses, affirming that the tribunal has no jurisdiction to admit the witnesses and their documents presented by the petitioners.

He also stated that the PDP did not receive a 25% vote in any of the state’s 13 LGAs during the election and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition.

While adopting their final written address, Dr Hassan Liman (SAN), counsel for the APC, prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petition on the grounds that it lacked merit, describing it as a “waste of resources of the good people of Nasarawa State.”

Dr. Liman stated that Governor Sule led the election with 64,193 votes based on documents admitted as exhibits before the tribunal, adding that electoral matters are valued on figures. He contended that the petitioners had decided the case against themselves.

According to our correspondent, the PDP lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), submitted a list of authorities in their final written address, which was objected to by the respondent’s counsel, who all argued that the document was submitted late.

After hearing all parties’ arguments, the tribunal’s chairman, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, reserved his decision.