It’s a black market judgment, says Zamfara guber aspirant on ruling in favour of Yari

Aminu Jaji, serving house of representatives member and gubernatorial aspirant, says despite withdrawing his appeal at the Sokoto division of the appeal court, the coast is not clear for Zamfara All Progressives Congress (APC). .

Jaji appealed the decision of a high court in Zamfara ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept APC candidates of the faction of Abdulaziz Yari, governor of the state.

The electoral commission had barred the APC in Zamfara from participating in the polls because of their failure to hold primary elections.

However, Jaji withrew the appeal and it was struck out.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the governorship aspirant explained that despite withdrawing his appeal, there is still an appeal by Kabiru Marafa, senator representing Zamfara central and also a governorship aspirant.

Jaji described the verdict by the Zamfara high court as a “black market” judgment.

“I decided, on some reasons, to withdraw my appeal. Their motion can only stand on my appeal. As the court granted by appeal, that I can withdraw my appeal, unilaterally under order 11 rule 1 of court if appeal rule 2016, so it stands to be granted today, based on that the verdict remain positive,” he said.

“It comes not in my favour but in favour of the law. I don’t want to say anything about the previous judges because I have written a petition against them.

“I decided unilaterally to withdraw the appeal so they do not have ground anymore. The case of Zamfara is still as it is, meaning that the black market judgement procured by governor Yari and he can only use it if he so decides considering what he said last week.

“It’s just like he is operating a state within a state. It is only if you do not recognise the country’s constitution or laws in the land that you can say that. Having said so, he can be part of some people I saw last week, Biafra that on 16th they don’t want any election, maybe is one of them.

“For me his own is even worse because he said if there is no APC on the ballot there is no election.”

Also, in a statement, Marafa said the stories in the media that the appeal court paved way for APC candidates in Zamfara is peddled by “desperate politicians.”

“Contrary to the erroneous information being peddled by some un informed persons, the court of appeal in sokoto didn’t clear APC candidates in Zamfara,” the senator said.

“In the sokoto division, the court of appeal refused to entertain the motion filled by Yari’s counsel seeking the enforcement of the judgement of the Zamfara high court.

“The motion for the enforcement was rested on the appeal filled by Rep Sani Jaji and since the appeal was withdrawn the motion collapsed with it and was therefore dismissed.”