The Court of Appeal in Abuja is preparing to deliver its judgment on the Nasarawa State Governorship election legal battle. Security measures have been heightened around the court premises with heavily armed security personnel from the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Civil Defense Corps cordoning off all roads leading to the court. This has caused traffic congestion and posed a challenge for Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials as they strive to manage the heavy traffic flow.
The court’s management has implemented these measures to prevent any breakdown of law and order following the judgment. At present, thorough frisking procedures are being conducted at the court’s main gate for all staff, lawyers, litigants, and reporters before they are permitted to enter the premises.
Despite the accreditation of several journalists to cover the judgment proceedings, only a select five have been granted access to the courtroom due to limited seating and crowd control measures. Also, only a handful of accredited political party officials and their supporters are permitted into the court premises.
The incumbent governor of the state, Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is up against his opponent, David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Previously, the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal nullified Governor Sule’s election in a majority decision of two to one, on the grounds that he had not secured the majority of lawful votes cast during the March 18 gubernatorial election. The Tribunal declared Ombugadu, a former member of the House of Representatives, as the rightful winner of the election.