From Daniel Abel, Lafia
A coalition of youth groups in Nasarawa state yesterday commended the Apex Court on the various judgements delieverd on the 2023 governorship elections petitions.
The group asks for judgement that will reflect on the voices of the masses in the state.
The group’s spokesperson, Barr. Illiya Oshokpa while addressing journalists expressed their satisfaction with the verdicts saying “going by the verdicts dished out by the lordships of the supreme court on Friday, the image and integrity of the judiciary is gradually being restored in the eyes of the masses.
“We firmly believe what the supreme court in its reverred integrity demonstrated, we commend the justices for restoring hope of the masses in the judiciary, particularly the Apex Court.
‘”We also commend president Bola Tinubu for his refusal to interfer with judicial matters, rather he joined in safeguarding the principle of separation of powers as enshrined in the nation’s constitution.
“It is our hope that the voices of the masses will continue to triumph across the country while issues of technicalities will not be the determining factor in election victories but merit.
“True justice by Apex Court will certainly produce a peaceful society. The judgement by the supreme court yesterday was celebrated widely across the country because the wishes of the masses prevailed.
“We stand with Supreme court to recognise the merit of the petition filed by Dr. David Ombugadu of the PDP, who was massively voted in the March 18 governorship election but INEC declared Sule of the APC as winner
“The declaration by INEC triggered protest by widows, mother’s who believed that the result was manipulated only to favor Sule by the electoral empire.
The group noted that there are individuals who, by their ill gotten wealth and driven by personal interests and religious affiliation are determined to use their connections with some persons at the Apex Court to buy justice.
The group appealed to the Apex Court to remain unyielding to any form of religious and ethnic pressure in the despense of justice to allow peace reign in the interest of democracy under the renewed hope agenda.
The group however called on the citizens in the state to remain calm and prayerful and also to ignore errornouse speculation being peddled that all the justices earmarked to handle the Nasarawa governorship appeal at the supreme court are of one religion.