Supreme Court Affirms Dauda Lawal as Zamfara State Governor, Dismisses Appeal Against PDP Victory

Supreme Court Upholds Dauda Lawal’s Governance in Zamfara State

In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court has affirmed Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the rightful Governor of Zamfara State.

This ruling comes after Lawal’s challenge to the inconclusive declaration of the governorship election by the Court of Appeal, which had ordered supplementary elections in certain local government areas.

Appeal and Counter-Challenge

Following the declaration of the governorship election as inconclusive, Bello Matawalle, a former Governor of Zamfara State, contested the victory of Dauda Lawal at the Court of Appeal.

Unperturbed, Lawal took the matter to the Supreme Court to seek a final resolution.

Supreme Court Delivers Judgement

Justice Emmanuel Agim delivered the judgment on the disputed Zamfara State Governorship election.

During the review, the judge addressed the key allegation made by Matawalle, questioning the evidence provided to substantiate the claim that Lawal did not win the majority of lawful votes cast on March 18.

Insufficient Evidence and Allegations of Manipulation

Matawalle contended that the results in Maradun LGA were manipulated in favor of Governor Lawal.

Justice Agim emphasized the necessity of presenting the duplicate copy of the results to prove the allegations, which the petitioner failed to provide.

The judge also highlighted the failure to provide essential documentation, including the voter register, polling unit officer report, and testimonies of witnesses present at the polling unit.

Court Deems Allegations Unproven

Justice Agim stated that the allegation of over-voting lacked substantiation due to the absence of crucial evidence.

The judge emphasized that BVAS machines alone cannot establish electoral malpractices. Conclusively, the Supreme Court deemed the evidence presented by the petitioner as insufficient, affirming the correctness of the tribunal’s decision.

Supreme Court’s Verdict and Election Upheld

The Supreme Court set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, declaring it as having no evidential foundation.

The order setting aside Lawal’s election was also overturned, upholding the election of Dauda Lawal as the Governor of Zamfara State.

This landmark decision marks the culmination of a legal battle that sought to determine the legitimacy of the governorship in the state.

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