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Appeal against Sule’s Victory: Supreme Court Reserves Judgement

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Gov Sule, Ombugadu

The Supreme Court has reserved judgement in the appeal filed by David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election of Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule.
The governor has been battling to retain his seat against the PDP’s candidate David Umbigado
Ombugadu over the outcome of the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Nasarawa State.

On Tuesday, the court presided over by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun reserved the judgments to a later date to be communicated to the parties after counsels to the appellants and respondents adopted their briefs of argument.

Last year, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Sule the winner of the March 18 governorship election. Sule polled 347, 209 votes to defeat his closest opponent, PDP’s Ombugadu who got 283, 016 votes.

Dissatisfied with the election outcome, the PDP candidate approached the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, challenging INEC’s declaration of Sule as the winner of the poll.

He complained to the tribunal that his actual votes were unjustifiably reduced. At the same time, Abdullahi Sule of the APC was increased to aid Sule to victory, particularly in the forms EC8Bs of Gayam and Chiroma Wards of Lafia Local Government Area.

About seven months later, Ombugadu got judgement in his favour on October 2 as the tribunal nullified Sule’s election and declared him as the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the state.

Delivering the judgment virtually, the Chairman of the tribunal Justice Ezekiel Ajayi declared Ombugadu of the PDP as the lawfully elected governor of Nasarawa State.

Sule, who was displeased with the tribunal ruling, appealed the verdict at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Ruling on the appeal on November 23, the appellate court reversed the sack of Gov Sule by the State Election Petitions Tribunal.

The three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam held that the Tribunal was legally bound to act on witness statements filed along with the petition or front-loaded within 21 days stipulated by law.

The appellate court held that the tribunal led by Ezekiel Ajayi acted in grave error in using witness statements on oath not front-loaded as required by law to arrive at the unjust conclusion of nullifying the election of the governor

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News from Nasarawa

APC Chair Congratulates Newly Elected PDP counterpart in Nasarawa

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By Abel Daniel, Lafia

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, Dr. Aliyu Bello, has extended his congratulations to the newly elected counterpart in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Alhaji Adamu Bako following his victory in the recent PDP elections.

In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Otaru Douglas, Dr. Bello conveyed his warmest regards, stating, “On behalf of the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Aliyu Bello, and the entire executive committee of our great party, I extend my warmest congratulations to you on your well-deserved victory as the newly elected chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Nasarawa State Chapter.”

Dr. Bello welcomed Bako to what he described as Nasarawa State’s “vibrant political landscape,” adding that Bako’s new leadership role is crucial in shaping a constructive opposition voice and offering meaningful critiques of government policies when necessary.
He expressed confidence that Bako’s expertise and vision would enhance good governance and support the state’s democratic progress.

“As a seasoned politician, we firmly believe your experience will be invaluable in promoting the principles of good governance, fostering popular participation in the political process, and building robust, competitive partnerships that will inspire the ruling party to deliver its best for the overall well-being of our citizens,” the statement read.

The APC Chairman also expressed appreciation for the outgoing PDP Chairman, Mr. Francis Orogu, recognizing his significant contributions toward fostering a spirit of political cooperation and peaceful competition during his tenure.

In closing, Dr. Bello urged the PDP to continue upholding democratic values through active citizen engagement. “As you assume duties as the new state chairman, you have a unique opportunity to build upon this legacy and inspire a new generation of leaders,” he added.

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Police in Nasarawa arrest Suspected Kidnapper, recover part of ransom money

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The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper, Abdulkarim Zakari, from Wamba Local Government Area, and recovered part of the ransom money allegedly obtained during a recent kidnapping incident.

According to a statement by the Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, Zakari, a middle-aged man, was apprehended on Sunday as part of an ongoing investigation. Police operatives from 38 PMF Akwanga, working in collaboration with the Nasarawa Eggon Division, arrested Zakari in connection with the kidnapping of Ciroman Fulani, which occurred in Arugbadu village, Nasarawa Eggon LGA.

The police reported that during interrogation, Zakari confessed to his involvement in the kidnapping. He disclosed that his syndicate collected a ransom of five million Naira (N5,000,000), of which he received a share of one million and two hundred thousand Naira (N1,200,000). A sum of five hundred and forty-seven thousand Naira (N547,000) was recovered from him during the arrest.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Shehu Nadada, has ordered a manhunt for other members of the kidnapping syndicate still at large. He also commended the police officers for their ongoing efforts to combat crime in Nasarawa State.

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FG Resolves mining Dispute in Nasarawa

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**State to get Over N1 Billion in FG Allocation from Solid Minerals

By Abel Abel, Lafia

The longstanding dispute between the Nasarawa mining community and two mining companies has been resolved by a federal government agency under the Ministry of Solid Minerals.
The resolution was announced yesterday in Lafia by the Ministry of Solid Minerals during a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Government House.

The Minister of Solid Minerals, represented by Mr. Obadiah Nkom, Director General of the Cadastre Office in Abuja, disclosed that the ministry had submitted a report on the conflict between the mining companies and the Nasarawa State government.
The report detailed the resolution, which included the allocation of 70 hectares of disputed land for mining activities, with 30.4 hectares allocated to the state government.

Mr. Nkom explained that the decision to share the site was made by a committee established to resolve the issue, and he expressed hope that all parties would adhere to the agreement to ensure peaceful coexistence.

Furthermore, Mr. Nkom announced that Nasarawa State has been chosen to host the 6th Council of Mining and Mineral Resources Development meeting in September this year.
The meeting, approved by the Federal Executive Council, is part of the roadmap for the growth of the mining industry.
It aims to engage stakeholders, significantly increase the mining sector’s contribution to the global GDP, and create a globally competitive sector capable of generating jobs and offering competitive shares to all stakeholders across the mining value chain.

The minister also acknowledged the achievements of Nasarawa State in the mineral sector, highlighted by the groundbreaking event of a Lithium Processing Industry in Nasarawa Local Government Area, the largest of its kind in the world.
He noted that the state is becoming an investment hub for mineral and other businesses, thanks to the business-friendly climate created by the current administration’s policies and programs.

As a result of these achievements, Nasarawa State has joined the ranks of four states earning over a billion naira from federal government allocations related to solid mineral royalties.

In response, Governor Abdullahi Sule commended the Ministry of Mining for resolving the conflict and assured that the 1.5 cadastre unit area allocated to the state would be used transparently to develop the host community.
He also expressed gratitude to the federal government for choosing Nasarawa State to host the 6th National Council of Mining and Mineral Resources Development meeting, noting that the event will attract more investors to the state, which is rich in mineral resources.

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