The Nigerian Supreme Court, has affirmed the victory of Governor Dauda Lawal as the duly elected Governor of Zamfara state.
Dauda Lawal, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party had approached the apex court seeking to overturn the decision of the court of appeal sacking him.
The apex court on Friday, overturned the controversial decision of the appellate court in the Zamfara State governorship election dispute.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, in the lead judgment, described the appellate court’s verdict as “perverse” and reinstated the earlier decision of the Zamfara State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, affirming the victory of Lawal.
Background
The legal battle ensued after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Lawal victorious on September 18, 2023, with 377,726 votes, defeating Bello Matawalle of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured 311,976 votes.
Not satisfied with the announcement by INEC, Matawalle approached the tribunal in an appeal.
The tribunal upheld INEC’s decision, stating that Matawalle failed to prove allegations of excluded polling unit results and non-compliance with electoral rules, imposing a cost of N500,000 against the appellants.
However, Matawalle filed an appeal before the court of appeal seeking to upturn the decision of the tribunal.
The appellate court in its judgment, overturned the decision of the tribunal and sacked governor Lawal.
Governor Lawal in-turn approached the Supreme Court in an appeal.
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Court’s decision
The Supreme Court, in its judgment, reinstated the tribunal’s ruling, emphasizing that Lawal secured the majority of lawful votes and was rightfully declared the winner by INEC.
The court criticized the appellate court’s declaration of the Zamfara state governorship election as inconclusive, restoring confidence in the initial tribunal’s decision and settling the protracted legal dispute.