Appeal Court Reinstates Dauda Lawal As Zamfara PDP Governorship Candidate

The Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal has reinstated Dauda Lawal as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Zamfara State.

The primary election was challenged at Federal High Court in Gusau and court ordered for fresh primary election which the re-run was conducted on September 23, 2022 and also quashed by the same court for irregularities.

The Appellants, Dauda Lawal-Dare, Adamu Maina-Waziri, the chairman primary election committee and retired Col. Bala Mande approached Appeal Court for redress.

Respondents in suit were Dr Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau, Alhaji Wadatau Madawaki, Hafiz Nahuche and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a uninimous judgement read by Justice Abubakar Talba on behalf of others, Justice Talba said the Appellants have succeeded to prove all the seven grounds of appeals canvassed by the Counsels and all resolved in favour of the Appellants.

He dismissed all the preliminary objections on competency of the appeal suit on the basis of judicial provisions and interest of fair hearing arguing that technical defaults could not supersede judicial provisions.

Justice Talba said the trial judge was wrong to discountenance documents submitted from INEC, trial court did not allow stipulated period of time before conducting re-run election and notices of participation.

He added that they perused all the arguments presented by different Counsels, citations of court judgements and other judicial considerations and arrived at the decision, thereby set aside the lower court judgement and answer the prayer sought in affirmative.

He said the trial judge, Justice Aminu Bappah-Aliyu of Federal High Court Gusau had failed on his legal responsibilities in judicial considerations, giving parties fear hearing and others.

Justice Talba awarded N200,000 as cost to Appellants against the Respondents.

Meanwhile, in another judgement for a separate suit delivered by Justice Talba also upheld prayers of Lawal-Dare, Maina-Waziri and Mande against the same Respondents.

Reacting to the judgement, Dauda Lawal described the Appeal Court’s ruling in Sokoto as a victory for democracy, the good people of Zamfara State.

The PDP governorship candidate, who spoke through Dauda Lawal Media Office, said the Appeal Court judgment was a victory not only to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), but to the entire people of Zamfara yearning for good governance.

“The people are celebrating my appeal court judgement because of their conviction that Under my leadership, Zamfara State will be a reference point for new ideas, determination, dynamism, and endless possibilities.” he stated.

N.O