Sule: Respect Democracy

THE Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested 38 protesters, five males and 33 females, in Lafia, the capital, over riots and public disturbance following the Supreme Court judgment that upheld the election of Governor Abdullahi Sule.

The suspects charged before the Chief Magistrates’ Court 3, Lafia, and remanded at the Lafia Custodial  Centre.

  When the matter was mentioned for hearing by the prosecuting Counsel, Danjuma Allu, the Chief Magistrate, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi Lanze, reserved ruling on their bail application until Monday, January 22, this year, following the bail application by defence  Counsel, Illiya Ashokpa, which was turned down.

The state Police Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the arrest and prosecution of the protesters.

  Meanwhile, the governor has appealed to the people to remain calm, be law-abiding and respect democracy.

Speaking to journalists after the apex court judgment, Sule thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring fairness without due interference in the justice process and the court for upholding his victory in last year’s election.

The governor said the opposition’s reactions to the court ruling were not unexpected, but cautioned that irrespective of people’s objections, the judgement remains the final verdict.

 Sule said: “I think people who understand what democracy is all about will understand that the Supreme Court is the ultimate and final; and those who appreciate and respect democracy should leave it right there.

“Protest or no protest will not change anything; the Supreme Court has already passed the judgement. In our case, when we lost at the tribunal, we told everybody not to protest; that is why nobody protested.”

He urged his opponents to join hands with him in building a better Nasarawa State, adding: “We call on our opponent, without any grudges, so that we can build our state.