Text Of A State-Wide Broadcast By His Excellency, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, Oon (Garkuwan Doma), Executive Governor Of Nasarawa State On The Outcome Of The 2007 Governorship Election Petition, Tuesday, 12th February, 2008

My dear people of Nasarawa State,

2. You would recall that on 14th April, 2007 Governorship elections were held in all States of the Federation, including Nasarawa State.   By the grace of Almighty Allah, the desire of the people of Nasarawa State was fulfilled with the massive votes received by our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which returned me, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, as the democratically elected Governor of Nasarawa State.

3. However, soon after my declaration as the democratically elected Governor by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), one of the contestants in the election, Barr. Solomon Ewuga of the ANPP contested the results at the Nasarawa State Election Petitions Tribunal.  The Tribunal sat over the case for the past 8 months where we defended the mandate you gave us to lead the State.

4. You are now aware that today Tuesday, 12th February, 2008, the Election Tribunal has delivered its judgement on the case.  In its ruling, the Tribunal declared that the case instituted by the defeated candidate of the ANPP lacked merit and accordingly, dismissed the petition.  This development has, therefore, re-confirmed the mandate that was given to us by the electorate.

5. The decision of the Tribunal which upheld our victory is, no doubt, a triumph, not only for us in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but indeed, for democracy in Nasarawa State.

6. Let me, therefore, use this decisive moment to congratulate all our supporters and, men and women of goodwill, who stood by us in the course of defending our victory at the Tribunal.  We were aware, all along, that your mandate to us at the polls was freely given and so we never had cause to doubt the genuineness of our victory.

7. Fellow citizens, while it is true that valuable time was spent at the Tribunal over what was evident and conclusive, we bear no grudge against the petitioners.  We believe that they were only exercising their democratic right.  Therefore, as true democrats, we concede to them the right to pursue their cause through the available legal and democratic channels.

8. For the avoidance of doubt, I need to restate that I have had a long-standing relationship with Barr. Solomon Ewuga as he himself has often acknowledged.  I have never wavered on this relationship.  I therefore, intend to sustain and even improve on it in the overall interest of the State.

9. It is gratifying to note that, standing on our tripod principles of tolerance, peace and progress, members and supporters of our great party, the PDP, at all times, and all levels during the trial maintained a calm disposition and refused to be distracted by various acts of provocation and blackmail.  I salute their patience and resilience and urge them to keep it up.

10. I also wish to express profound appreciation to our religious leaders, traditional rulers, community and opinion leaders, as well as the political class who persistently appealed for peace, understanding and reconciliation in the interest of the State before, during and after this historic ruling.

11. With the re-affirmation of our victory today, let me assure the good people of Nasarawa State that this Administration will remain focussed in the pursuit of our noble cause for the good of all.  I am determined to continue in the spirit with which I have started to give the State the desired leadership including fairness to all manner of people irrespective of their ethnic, religious or social background.

12. However, let me reiterate that this Administration will not tolerate any acts of lawlessness, threat to peaceful coexistence and reckless disregard for the rule of law by anybody or community.  I, therefore, urge community, religious and opinion leaders to call their people to order.  Instead of dissipating energies on unworthy endeavours, all of us should join hands with the Government in the struggle for progress and development.

13. At this juncture, I wish to thank all the people of Nasarawa State for the support and cooperation they have given this Administration so far.  I urge you all to keep up the struggle so that together we can move the State forward in our journey to the Promised Land.

14. Once again, I will like to extend my hands of friendship to all, and to invite you to share in our vision of a vibrant and prosperous Nasarawa State.  As I have always said, our target is a better Nasarawa State for everybody, and in achieving this, we must keep our focus sharp on development, our minds active with good ideas and our hands busy with work.  Together we can achieve, together we can make Nasarawa State great.

15. Thank you and God bless.