The Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the governorship election petition tribunal ruling that annulled Governor Abdullahi Sule’s election.

In a split decision, the tribunal nullified Mr Sule’s election on Monday in Lafia. Instead, it declared the petitioner, David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the winner of the March 18 election.

Chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, declared that Mr Ombugadu proved to the tribunal that he had the majority votes, but the results were manipulated in favour of the APC.

Justice Chiemelie Onaga, a panel member, agreed with the judgement. However, the third panel member, Justice Ibrahim Mashi, read a dissenting position and said the petition filed by Mr Ombugadu lacked merit.

But addressing a news conference in Lafia on Wednesday, APC rejected the split decision.

Its chairman, Aliyu Bello, said the party aligned itself with the dissenting ruling and described it as firmly rooted in law, facts and logic.

He added that the party was strongly behind the decision of Mr Sule to test the judgment at the Court of Appeal.

Mr Bello appealed to APC supporters in the state to remain calm and to await further action to reclaim the mandate.

The party also advised Mr Sule not to be distracted but to remain focused and to preoccupy himself with providing good governance. 

(NAN)