In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has affirmed the election victory of Dauda Lawal as the governor of Zamfara State. The apex court overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal Abuja, which had declared the gubernatorial election inconclusive and ordered a re-run in three Local Government Areas of the state.
The Court of Appeal had nullified Lawal’s election in November, citing irregularities. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling validates Lawal’s victory in the gubernatorial race held on March 18. Lawal secured a total of 377,726 votes, leading to the ousting of the incumbent Bello Matawalle of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 311,976 votes.
The legal battle began when Matawalle, now the Minister of State for Defence, alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) manipulated results to undermine his election win. The Zamfara Election Petitions Tribunal initially dismissed the case on September 18, upholding Lawal’s victory and imposing a fine of N500,000 on the petitioners.
Unsatisfied with the tribunal’s decision, Matawalle appealed to the Court of Appeal in Abuja. The appellate court, presided over by Judge Oyebisi Folayemi, nullified Lawal’s victory, directing INEC to conduct new elections in specific areas where irregularities were alleged.
Lawal, determined to seek justice, took the case to the Supreme Court, which has now delivered a verdict in his favor. The ruling marks a significant development in the political landscape of Zamfara State.
