Protest breaks out in Nasarawa over Supreme Court ruling

Several groups are marching the streets of Lafia and other parts of Nasarawa State in protests against the Supreme Court ruling affirming Abdullahi Sule remains the state's governor.

The protest broke out on Friday, according to a report, which added that protesters had, in large numbers, blocked the Lafia-Jos Road, lighting bonfires and singing demonstration songs.

Motorists are diverting to alternative routes as security agencies try to restore calm to the areas. Business centres, including shops and other ventures, have closed.

Although there was great expectation that the Supreme Court would take the state away from Mr. Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Justice Kekere Ekun of the Supreme Court concurred with the Court of Appeal that the lawsuit challenging his election was without substance.

Both the supreme and appeal courts disagreed with the tribunal's ruling, which had earlier dismissed Mr. Sule and proclaimed David Umbugadu, the PDP's rival, the victor.

The Independent National Electoral Commission's figures show that Mr. Sule received 347,209 votes, while Mr. Ombugadu received 283,016 votes.