Zamfara: Tribunal  Affirms Lawal’s Election,  Dismisses Matawalle’s Petition 

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto 

A Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Sokoto has affirmed the election of Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.

 The three man panel led by Justice Cordelia Ogadi  dismissed the petition filed by former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle challenging the validity of the election results that brought  Lawal into office as the Governor of the state.

Matawalle challenged the election of Governor  Lawal who was elected under the umbrella of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the grounds that March 18, election was marred by irregularities and that Lawal did not score majority of the lawful votes.

The Tribunal Chairperson, Justice Cordelia Ogadi, who led two other members dismissed the petition for lack of merit saying the petitioner could not prove the case as required by law.

Ogadi said the Petitioner led 19 witnesses along with exhibits to prove the case while Respondent presented 18 witnesses and exhibits to defend his case. 

She said all petitioner’s legs, grounds, objections and counters were perused, including the Maradun local government elections result along with others that were disputed.

The judge said the Petitioner was unable to prove the cases of over voting and other malpractices and the burden of proving the petition lied  solely on the Petitioners.

She said the 18 witness testified that there was tension during the collation exercise at Maradun and presented an exhibit that could not be read clearly, adding that witnesses said security officials mandated for some action on the processes.

The Chairperson added that third Respondent, which was the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had also testified on the processes, including the declaration of election results.