A group under the aegis Concerned Mada Youths says that the victory of Mr David Ombugadu, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the governorship elections petition tribunal on Oct. 2 is a triumph of unity and progress in the state.
Mr Musa Aruwa, Youth Leader of the group stated this to newsmen in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital.
It could be recalled that the tribunal had annulled the election of Gov. Abdullahi Sule of All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared Ombugadu as the real winner of March 18 governorship election in the state.
Aruwa explained that the tribunal judgment was a reaffirmation of the decision of majority of the people of the state at the polls.
He said however that it is unfortunate that APC and handlers of the governor have deployed various tactics just to tarnish the reputation of the PDP candidate.
He explained that they are deploying baseless allegations and unfounded accusations that Ombugadu belong to the tribe that formed Ombatse cult group many years ago.
He added that after exhausting all their poisonous darts at Ombugadu with no any visible success, they have now resorted to regurgitating an event that took place 10 years ago in order to inflame passions and cause ethnic tension.
“The accusations to link Ombugadu to Ombatse is not only unfounded but also extremely dangerous, as it has the potential to stoke ethnic tensions and incite violence in a state already grappling with insecurity.
“It is also laughable to propagate that the victory of Ombugadu may raise ethnic cleansing in the state because he shares the same Eggon ethnic background with the Ombatse Group,’ he added.
The group said that no any single ethnic group can secure electoral victory in a highly diverse state like Nasarawa without the active support and participation of other tribes.
He further said that the victory of the PDP candidate at the polls was a collective efforts by people cutting across all ethnic and religion groups.
“If it is not every Fulani man or woman that is a bandit or everyone from Borno, Yobe or Adamawa states that is a terrorist, as such all Eggon people cannot be said to be members of Ombatse cult.
“Linking Ombudagu with the Ombatse group is a desperate attempt to gain political advantage and undermine the democratic process by sowing the seeds of mistrust in the minds of the peace-loving people of the state,” he added.
The group therefore called on all parties to allow the Appeal Court to decide the merit of the state electron dispute before them.