There is tight security at the premises of the Court of Appeal in Abuja as the court prepares to deliver judgment on the Nassarawa State Governorship election legal battle.
Access to the Appellate Court has been severely restricted, with all roads leading to the court cordoned off by heavily armed security personnel from the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Civil Defense Corps.
Both private and commercial vehicles have also been diverted to alternative routes, causing traffic congestion and posing a challenge for Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials as they strive to manage the heavy traffic flow.
These heightened security measures were implemented by the court’s management to prevent any breakdown of law and order following the judgment.
As of press time, 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. This is due to what a court official attributed 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).
Recall that the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, in a majority decision of two to one, nullified Governor Sule’s election 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.
