In Sokoto, Tribunal Affirms Zamfara PDP Governor
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Zamfara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Sokoto, Monday reaffirmed the electoral victory of governor Lawal Dauda of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
The Tribunal who dismissed the petition of former governor Bello Matawalle of the All Progressive Congress (APC) on grounds that it lacks merit, added that the petitioner was unable to prove incidences of over voting and other irregularities as claimed.
In Sokoto, Tribunal Affirms Zamfara PDP Governor
Recall that the former governor, Bello Matawalle had approached the Court seeking nullification of the Zamfara March 18th, 2023 election which declared the PDP candidate Dauda Lawal as winner.
Ruling on the petition, the Tribunal Chairperson, Justice Cordelia Ogadi, who led two others said the petitioner failed to prove his case as required by law, hence lacking in merit
Taking step to step of the unanimious ruling, Justice Ogadi said the petitioner led 19 witnesses and exhibits to prove their case just as the respondent also presented 18 witnesses and exhibits in defense of his case.
While noting that the.panel have carefully studied the petition and all incidents being disputed, including the contentious Maradun Local government election result,
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Justice Ogadi in an almost four hours ruling submitted that the burden of proving over voting, malpractices and substantial non compliance that could alter the outcome of the election solely relied on the petitioner which it failed to.
Justice Ogadi who stressed that their ruling was based on careful adherence to constitutional requirements and the provision of electorial law, dismissed the petition and awarded N500,000 cost to be paid to PDP, it’s governor, Dauda Lawal and INEC who are Al respondents in the case.
In Sokoto, Tribunal Affirms Zamfara PDP Governor
