A coalition of women groups in Nasarawa State had began a four days protest of silence over the Appeal Court Judgment of November 23, 2023 that upheld the declaration of Gov. Abdullahi Sule of All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of March 18 governorship election in the state.
The group who started their protest since the result of the election was declared in March, said the protest today, Monday December 18-Thursday, 21 is unique as it is called protest of silence.
Speaking to newsmen on Monday in Lafia, Jamilatu Usaini, one of the protesters said that today’s protest is a special one.
She explained that those of them who are married and their husbands are still alive came with them to the venue of the protest to show that they are responsible women contrary to the names they were being called.
She explained that their men can no longer talk because of the kind of things going on in the state.
“Our men can no longer speak because the system no longer listen to them, that is why they are silence.
“As women, we will never relent and we will continue to protest to show the world the injustice that was melted on us.
“David Ombugadu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clearly won the election, but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared a different result.
“We are indigenes of the state and not foreigners, as such the person that got highest votes should be declare based on the tenants of democratic governance,” she added.
Also, Sarah Otakani said that the protest of silence had started at 6:00am on Monday and would end by 6:00pm for the day.
“We are starting by 6:00am everyday and it will continue in the next four days to press home our demands for justice.
“We are not asking for anything rather than seeking that the Supreme Court should review the BVAS records of Gayam and Ciroma Electoral Wards of Lafia before it delivers its judgment.
“The judgment should be based on merit and facts and not technicalities,” she added.
Similarly, Hanatu James from Lafia Local Government Area (LGA) said democracy is about popular votes and wandered why a person with the highest votes would not be declare the winner of an election in Nasarawa State.
She appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the international communities to intervene in order to safe democracy in the state and by extension the entire country.
On her part, Mrs Lydia Auta said the Supreme Court should review the BVAS records of the governorship election in Nasarawa State to truly prove that judiciary is indeed the last hope of a common man.
She explained that if that was not done, they would succeed in setting a bad example for their children and grand children to copy.
“If we are going to set bad example to the upcoming generation, then the country do not have a future,” she added.
It could be recalled that the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja had set aside the judgment of the tribunal of Oct. 2 and declared Gov. Sule as the winner of March 18 governorship election.
The Appeal Court had upturned the decision of the governorship elections petition tribunal of Oct. 2, that annulled the election of Gov. Sule and declared Ombugadu as the winner of the election.
Ombugadu had since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the verdict to the Court of Appeal. (NAN)
I stand with justice! I stand with the women!!