A group under the aegis Coalition of Indigenous People of Nasarawa State has rejected the judgment of the Appeal Court that upturned the outcome of governorship elections petition tribunal.
Speaking at the end of a protest by the group on Saturday in Lafia, Mr. Kefas Tigga, convener of the protest, said the judgment of the Appeal Court is disheartening and threatens the fabric of democratic system.
The tribunal on Oct. 2, annulled the election of Gov. Abdullahi Sule of All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared David Ombugadu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of March 18 election, but a decision the Appeal Court upturned on Thursday, November 23.
The Appeal Court on its judgment set aside the decision of the tribunal and declared Sule as the winner of the election.
The convener added that the decision of the Appeal Court had created a dangerous precedent that undermines the fundamental principle of majority rule.
He further said that the indigenous people of the state had voted for Ombugadu at the election and not Sule, as such their rights should be uphold without compromise.
“We are here today to shed light that Ombugadu of PDP was the rightful winner of March 18 election based on popular votes.
“Our hopes that were reignited by the tribunal had been dashed by the judgment of the Appeal Court.
“Contrary to the celebrations that lasted for more than one week when tribunal delivered its judgment, the state is like a graveyard since the judgment by the appeal court without any celebration,” he added.
The group therefore called on the regional and international communities and President Bola Tinubu to ensure that justice is delivered in the governorship dispute of Nasarawa State based on popular votes and facts and not technicalities.
The also expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would dispense justice on the matter and called on the judiciary to stand firm and not allow any external influence to temper with the facts of the case.
The highlight of the protest includes trekking for over four kilometers and chanting of solidarity songs. (NAN).