….Ombugadu is not government, do you think he has that kind of money- protesters Ask.
From Abel Leonard, Lafia
In the heart of Nasarawa, within the walls of the PDP Secretariat, a poignant narrative unfolds as a group of women, viewed as vulnerable in society, gather in solidarity with Ombugadu, seeking what they perceive as liberation for their communities.
These women, hailing from diverse backgrounds—widows, youth and mothers—have made this space their temporary abode, echoing a familiar resonance akin to the plight of those in IDP camps scattered across Nigeria.
However, amidst their resolve, whispers of alleged political machinations have crept into the discourse. An opposition video circulating claims these women are paid 5000 Naira daily to protest—a charge vehemently denied by the protesting women themselves.
Their daily meals, limited and often compromised, contradict the notion of a lavish lifestyle. Instead, it raises questions about the true motives driving these women to endure such conditions.
One of the leaders of the women groups, Auta Cletus, said they will not stop protesting until the PDP governorship candidate, David Ombugadu reclaims his mandate at the Supreme Court.
She said, “I am a widow. My husband died many years ago. I was born and brought up in Takpa-Uzi community in Lafia Local Government Area of the state. We are here today because our son, David Ombugadu who we voted for has been denied his election victory by desperate politicians in this state.
“As you can see, there are many widows here who are praying for him to succeed because he is the one we voted for during the last governorship election. We voted for him because we believe that he has the solution to our problems.
“I have children who are educated but they have no jobs because the present administration did not make jobs available for the people. I am shocked that the APC people could make such a statement that we are hired from other states. That assumption is incorrect because we are all indigenes of Nasarawa State advocating for the advancement of our dear state.”
While lamenting that the Appeal Court’s judgment fell short of the expectations of the people who massively voted for Ombugadu, she called on the Supreme Court judges to carefully observe the governorship election results in Gayam and Chiroma electoral wards in Lafia Local Government Area of the state.
“The total number of accredited voters in Gayam ward in Lafia LGA according to INEC was about 13,000, but INEC allocated 33,000 votes to only the APC. Secondly, in Chiroma ward of the same Lafia LGA, the number of accredited voters according to INEC’s record is 21,000, but INEC announced 59,000 votes solely for the APC.
“Seeing these kind of figures from the election is part of the reasons why we are motivated to keep coming out on a daily basis to seek for Justice on the matter. No one is sponsoring us to come out for the protest. The reason for our protest is because we want the right thing to be done.
“So, we are appealing to the Supreme Court judges to carefully look at the results of the Nasarawa State governorship election before delivering the judgement,” Auta Cletus added.
Another protesting woman who spoke on the matter, Helen Beture,, said it was demeaning for the APC in the state to accuse them of being hired from other states to come over to Nasarawa for protest.
She said, “It is sad that the APC and supporters of the current administration could say such a thing to us. They should be aware that we are indigenes of the state. Most of us were born here in this state and we attended our schools here, so it is not good for anyone to just come up and say something untrue as that.
“The reason why we are here is because we want justice. We have cried enough. Our appeal to the Supreme Court is that justice should be done to the people of Nasarawa State who voted during the 2023 governorship election.”
Contrary to assumptions, the numbers of these women have oscillated between one thousand to one thousand two hundred, a fluctuation that defies the expectation of swelling ranks due to financial incentives.
Another protester, Hajara Usman express her dismay, revealed that they engage in menial jobs to gather enough funds for transportation, viewing this moment as their singular opportunity to contribute to the struggle for liberation—possibly the only chance to uplift their families from the shackles of hardship.
” Let me tell you, some of us don’t have homes, we are displaced by criminals, our children were killed, husband’s dead, we are on our own, no one looked for us for many years and now we have seen opportunity to change the system and u say we are paid.”
“We are over one thousands, many women you see here has one problem or the other, have you seen the meal we eat, junks and they are saying we are paid, who is paying us. Ombugadu is not government do you think he has that kind of money”
According to Observers, who are of the opinion that their stories unveil the complexity of their circumstances, noting that the women aren’t merely pawns in a political game; they are individuals yearning for change, their aspirations tethered to a yearning for a better future for their families and communities.
“Their defiance against the odds reflects a shared vision for a Nasarawa free from the confines of adversity.”
Reports has it that the women had continued their protest, their voices echo beyond the confines of the PDP Secretariat, resonating as a testament to the resilience and aspirations of a marginalized segment of society. Their presence is a reminder that in the pursuit of change, ordinary individuals can become symbols of unwavering hope and determination.
As the sun sets on Nasarawa, these women remain steadfast, their quest for liberation etched in their unwavering resolve—a poignant testament to the power of collective will and a yearning for a better tomorrow.