PDP slams Ganduje’s remarks on the Nasarawa court ruling

The Nasarawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a statement condemning a recent statement attributed to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, and reiterating the party’s promise to do everything in its power to defend Governor Abdullahi Sule’s mandate.

After PDP candidate David Ombugadu took him to court to overturn Sule’s victory in the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Nasarawa State, the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in that state fired Sule.

At a weekend event in Lafia, the APC National chairman, represented by the Vice Chairman in the North Central Zone, Muazu Rijau, assured party stakeholders that the governor’s mandate would be protected notwithstanding the PDP candidate’s victory in the tribunal.

PDP Public Relations Officer Ibrahim Hamza released a statement on Monday calling the APC national chairman’s remarks an attack on democracy and the rule of law.

As the PDP pointed out, the electoral tribunal’s decision is an essential part of our democratic system.

The opposition party said that the Nigerian people should be allowed to freely elect their leaders and have faith in a fair and unbiased judicial system.

In a statement, the party claimed, “The tribunal based its decision to invalidate Governor Sule’s election on the facts before it.” Similarly, Sule can dispute the ruling in court if she so chooses.

To be sure, “while legal proceedings are ongoing, it is essential for all parties to respect the rule of law and due process.”

It stated that Ganduje’s speech only serves to exacerbate existing political tensions and weaken the foundations of democracy.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) urged all political leaders, regardless of party affiliation, to refrain from making inflammatory statements that could disrupt the peace and stability of the nation, and reminded Ganduje that democracy is governed by laws and that there is nowhere in the country’s Constitution that allows political parties to resort to self-help other than the judiciary in the event of political disputes.

The party called on the APC national chairman and all APC members in Nasarawa State to rethink their stance, accept the tribunal’s ruling, and let the legal process play out.