On March 20, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the incumbent and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Sule Abdullahi, as the winner with 347,209 votes. This victory was against his closest rival, David Emmanuel Ombugadu, the candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 283,016 votes.

Unsatisfied with the declared results, Ombugadu and the PDP, represented by their lead counsel, Chief Godwin Kanu Agabi SAN, sought redress through the tribunal, listing INEC, Audu, and APC as the first, second, and third defendants, respectively.

Among the prayers presented by the petitioners was the assertion that the APC candidate did not secure the majority of lawful votes, contending that Ombugadu should have been declared the winner.

On October 2, the tribunal delivered a leading judgment of 2-1, upholding the petition (EPT/NS/GOV/01/2023), thereby removing Gov. Sule and affirming Ombugadu as the winner. The tribunal cited calculation errors that influenced the declared victory of the APC candidate, instructing INEC to withdraw the Certificate issued to him and award it to the first petitioner.

In response, Gov. Sule, represented by lead counsel Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, appealed to the Appeal Court, arguing that he was not given a fair hearing. The Appeal Court, in Suit No: CA/MK/EP/GOV/NS/30/2023, ruled that the tribunal erred in countenancing evidence from subpoenaed witnesses whose statements were not front-loaded alongside the petition. The evidence of these witnesses was deemed incompetent and struck out.

The panel, led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam JCA, nullified the majority decision of the tribunal, re-affirming Gov. Sule as duly elected and returned.

Ombugadu, displeased with the outcome, took the matter to the Apex Court, where all litigations must conclude. In consolidated appeals (Ombugadu & Anor v. INEC & Ors - Suit No: SC/CV/1213/2023), the panel, led by Justice KMO Kekere-Ekun JSC, upheld the Judgment of the Court of Appeal and affirmed the APC Candidate as duly returned.

In a unanimous decision, the Apex Court emphasized that the well-considered ruling of the Appeal Court remains unassailable. The verdict brings a conclusive end to the legal battles surrounding the Nasarawa State Governorship election, solidifying Sule Abdullahi's position as the legitimate Governor. Stay tuned for more updates on political developments and judicial decisions.