By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled the Zamfara State governorship election inconclusive.
The verdict comes after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initially declared Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election.
The legal battle unfolded when Bello Matawalle, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, contested the outcome of the March 18 governorship election at the tribunal. However, his petition faced dismissal for lacking merit.
The Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on Thursday, declared the election inconclusive.
The court directed INEC to conduct a fresh election in two specific local governments, adding a new layer of complexity to the electoral landscape in Zamfara State.
Reading the lead judgment, Justice Sybil Nwaka Gbagiz ordered INEC to conduct a fresh election in three local government areas of the state where elections were not conducted or where results from various polling units were not counted.
Mrs. Sybil was quoted as saying, “This appeal is hereby allowed. The March 2023 Governorship election held in Zamfara state is inconclusive. INEC is hereby directed to hold fresh elections in Birnin Magaji, Bukun Yum LGA, and Maradun Local Government Areas.”
As stakeholders await further instructions from INEC regarding the scheduling of the fresh election, the political climate in Zamfara State is poised for heightened tension and strategic maneuvering among the contesting parties.
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