Supreme Court victory: Governor Sule preaches peace, unity

Governor Abdullahi Sule has called on the people of Nasarawa State to live in peace with one another in order for the state to be able to utilize its enormous potentials for the good of the people. 

Governor Sule made the call in his address to the people of the state shortly after the supreme court reaffirmed his election, in Abuja on Friday. 

This is just as the Governor thanked the opposition for testing the principles of democracy and for going through constitutionally recognized channels to exhaust their grievances. 

He emphasized that with the verdict at the supreme court, there is no winner, no vanguished as he called on all and sundry to join hands together to build Nasarawa State. 

While pointing out the people of the state must remain united in order to be able to collectively work for the progress of the state, Governor Sule said this can only be possible if the people forgive each other.

He added that even though Nasarawa State has the greatest prospects ever, these potentials would forever remain a mirage if the people failed to come together and to live in peace with one another.

Governor Sule urged the people to shun acts capable of dividing the people across ethnic or religious lines, stressing that for the state to attain civilization these factors must be pushed to the background. 

He said only merit, honesty and sincerity should be the guiding principles that can move the state forward. 

"We must continue to remain one. We must continue to tolerate each other. We must continue to abandon those who preach ethnicity and religion. Because those two things in particular have no place in a civilization. And if we must be civilized we must keep them to the side and look at merit and look at honesty and look at sincerity so that we can take our state to the next level," the Governor said.

He pointed out that the victory at the supreme court marked the end of the ten month long run which characterized the March 18th gubernatorial election.

Governor Sule used the opportunity to show appreciation to the judiciary for upholding his election after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner.

He also thanked the people of the state for the patience and tolerance while the legal battle for the soul of the state lasted.

He specifically appreciated members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for their patience.

"Today, both the victors and those who did not win at the Supreme Court have become one. The good people of Nasarawa State have remained one and we will continue to remain so. We must work for the progress of Nasarawa State.  

"I want us to be able to forgive each other. As a leader, you can not be a good leader until you can tolerate, until you are patient and until you understand what democracy is all about. Your Governor has the patience to withstand all kinds of intimidation," he said.

Earlier, in an unanimous decision, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal instituted by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, David Ombugadu and thereby reaffirming Governor Sule as duly elected.

Chairman of the five-member panel, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, upheld the judgement of the court of appeal that upturned the decision of the governorship election petition tribunal that earlier ruled in favour of Ombugadu. 

She stated that the court of appeals’ decision upholding Governor Sule’s election was thorough and well thought out.

The panel consequently dismissed the case for lack of merit.