The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, deferred its decision on the appeal lodged by the Peoples Democratic Party challenging the Court of Appeal’s ruling that reinstated Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule.
A five-member panel, led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, concluded proceedings and adjourned the matter for judgment after hearing arguments from the respective counsels.
Justice Kekere-Ekun mentioned that notification would be given to the concerned parties once the judgment is prepared.
Previously, the state election petition tribunal had nullified the governor’s election, declaring David Ombugadu, the PDP candidate, as the winner of the March 18, 2023, election. The tribunal, presided over by Ezekiel Ajayi, arrived at a split decision of two-to-one, stating that, based on their evaluation of the evidence, the PDP candidate had successfully proven that the election results were manipulated in favor of Sule.
However, the Court of Appeal overturned this decision, reinstating Governor Sule and asserting that the tribunal erred in relying on the statements of eight PDP witnesses, as their evidence was not presented alongside the petition.
In response to the appellate court’s decision, Ombugadu has now taken the matter to the Supreme Court, seeking a review of the ruling.