Several groups are marching the streets of Lafia and other parts of Nasarawa State in protests against the Supreme Court ruling affirming Abdullahi Sule remains the state’s governor.

The protest broke out on Friday, according to a Daily Trust report, which added that protesters had, in large numbers, blocked the Lafia-Jos Road, lighting bonfires and singing demonstration songs.

Motorists are diverting to alternative routes as security agencies try to restore calm to the areas. Business centres, including shops and other ventures, have closed.

Hopes had been high that the apex court would wrest the state back from the hands of Mr Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but Supreme Court Justice Kekere Ekun agreed with the Court of Appeal that the case against his election lacked merit.

The apex and appellate courts both rejected the position of the tribunal that had earlier sacked Mr Sule and declared his rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), David Umbugadu, as the winner.

According to the results of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr Sule polled 347,209 votes to defeat Mr Ombugadu with 283,016 votes.