Supreme Court verdict: Youth Coalition, others hail Tinubu, Justices for restoring hope of Nigerians

By David Okpashi

Youths Coalition and other interest groups in Nasarawa state Saturday hailed President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the Supreme Court Justices for restoring the confidence of Nigerians on the Judiciary.

They Youth Coalition in a press conference addressed by its Chairman, Barr. Iliya Ashokpa Auna held in Lafia, said refusal by president Ahmed Bola Tinubu to interferebut joined in safe guarding the principles of seperation of powers has not only restored Nigerians confidence but strengthen his renew hope for the further of the country.

“We commend the justices for restoring hope and the president, who refused to interfere but joined in safe guarding the principles of separation of powers for the greater good of our country and its future”.

they Youth while expressing their hope that the voices of the masses will triump all over Nigeria while issues of technicalities would be be avoided to repair and workshops, called on all hIt is our hope that the voices of the masses will triumph all over Nigeria.

“We make bold to appeal to the supreme court to ensure that the issues of technicalities be consigned to repair, strengthen and the unity, peace in the country. We call on all well-meaning Nigerians to join in prayers for justice to prevail in the Supreme Court verdicts to guarantee the peace through just and fair justice as seen in yesterday’s verdicts”.

“We are gathered here today as coalition and representatives of youths drawn from various parts of our dear State to express our concerns and hopes regarding the anticipated Supreme Court judgment on the Nasarawa State gubernatorial election petition held last year”.

The youth groups who noted that the March 18, 2023 election witnessed an overwhelming turnout of voters, regardless of religious or ethnic affiliations, turned out against the will and wishes of the people with the declaration of Engr. Audu Sule of the APC.

“The Voters turned out and exercised their democratic right by voting for the candidate of their choice. While the majority of our people believed that Hon. David Emmanuel Ombugadu of the PDP will emerge victorious with a substantial margin, the process was peaceful and convivial. However, to our shock Engr. Audu Sule of the APC was declared the winner against the run of play by INEC.

“The over turn of the electoral process led to widespread peaceful protests across the state.This unjust decision created despair and threatened to cast doubt on the meaning of democracy and outs real intent. The outcome left the people with their voices muffled, harassed and silenced”, the group alleges..

According to the youth group, the election tribunal recognized the merit of the petition filled by Hon. David Emmanuel Ombugadu as a result of which he was declared as the rightful winner eventually which they claimed brought temporary relief to the people because.

“Disatisfied with the tribunal however, Governor Sule approached the Court of Appeal. To the utter dismay of the people, the appeal court granted Sule’s wishes based on technicalities, not merit, disregarding the peace, unity and oneness of the people granted Sule Audu appe and up turned the wishes of the majority as projected by the tribunal”.

“Now, we stand before the Supreme Court, the final arbiter, that will restore hope in democracy nationally and in minds of the masses of Nasarawa State generally. We are aware of certain individuals who, driven by personal interests and their ill-gotten wealth, are determined to upturn the will of our people. These individuals believe that their connections with the apex court or their ability to buy justice can secure victory for their candidate while they peddle their selfish hidden agenda on either religion or regional affiliations”.

“We are also mindful of the fact that our mothers and wives have been protesting for months to demand security in their farms and homes, as well as a better future for their families. We believe that is achievableYet, their legitimate concerns have been met with derogatory names such as prostitutes and hired crowds. Despite this, we have remained calm and hopeful that the judiciary will help Nasarawa State.

“We firmly believe in what the Supreme Court stands for and had demonstrated in the various judgments declared yesterday to uphold the integrity of its justices and that tradition of the revered institution of democracy.

The youth coalition therefore expressed confidence in the Supreme Court to deliver their judgment based on what will re- shape the state, democracy and nation under the renewed hope agenda.

“We stand united in our belief that justice will prevail, and that the true will of the people is upheld in tune with the re-newed hope mantra of Mr. President.