Protesters take over Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, following the Supreme Court verdict which affirmed the election of Governor Abdullahi Sule in the March 18, 2023 election in the State.
“The Lafia-Jos road has been completely blocked as the protesters lit bonfire to prevent travelers and other road users,” says a national daily report.
Motorists had to take alternative routes out of Lafia to avoid the rampaging protesters.
An automobile mechanic, Mallam Dogo Audu, called for the deployment of security operatives to restore calm and avert escalation.
“Shop owners and business centres have shut down,” according to the report.
Recall women had last year protested over INEC results that declared the incumbent governor.
The protest erupted following the Supreme Court ruling that upheld the election of Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa.
Shortly after the five-man panel of the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the election of Sule, supporters of the People’s Democratic Party candidate in the election, David Ombugadu barricaded the Lafia-Jos to register their displeasure.
The protest later led to blocking of roads and burning of tires. Shops and business centres, including schools within the Lafia metropolis immediately closed for fear of attacks.
Meanwhile, the police have deployed heavily armed personnel to dispel the protesters, but the situation appears to be raging as the protesters appear to be defiant.
A woman was seen in a video protesting naked while charging towards the position of policemen who halted her with bullet shots in the air.
The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule has urged the aggrieved protesters to accept the ruling of the Supreme Court.
Sule who met with Tinubu moments after the Supreme Court pronounced its verdict on the Nasarawa election petition appeal, acknowledged the dissenting views of those unhappy with the verdict while praising the justice system in ensuring “fairness without undue interference”.