A’court declares Zamfara guber election inconclusive, orders fresh poll in three LGAs

The court of appeal sitting in Abuja has declared the Zamfara governorship election inconclusive.

A three-member panel of the appellate court unanimously annulled the victory of Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Lawal as the winner of the March 18 election with 377,726 votes.

However, Bello Matawalle, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 311,976 votes, challenged the outcome of the poll.

Matawalle, now minister of state for defence, had accused INEC of subverting his victory at the poll by failing to include the results of some ward areas.

However, the tribunal in a judgment on September 18, held that the petition was devoid of merit.

The court also awarded the N500,000 fine against the petitioners.

Matawalle and the APC then filed an appeal challenging the decision of the tribunal.

Delivering judgment, the court of appeal held that the Zamfara state election petitions tribunal did not consider the evidence provided by the appellants.

Consequently, the court of appeal declared the election as inconclusive and ordered INEC to hold a fresh election in three LGAs.

The local governments are Maradun, Birnin-Magaji and Bukyun.