Zamfara Guber: Appeal Court Verdict A Temporary Setback, Says Gov Lawal

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has reacted to the judgement of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal nullifying his electoral victory and ordering a re-run in three local government areas of the State, describing the verdict as a ‘temporary setback’.

LEADERSHIP reports that a three-man panel of Justices of the Appellate Court had on Thursday declared the March 18, 2023 Zamfara State governorship election inconclusive. The court consequently ordered a rerun in three local government areas of Maradun, Birnin-Magaji and Bukkuyum in order to determine the eventual winner of the poll.

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But, in a statement on Friday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, Governor Lawal said that he was overwhelmingly elected due to dissatisfaction with the status quo in Zamfara State.

Idris quoted Governor Lawal as saying that the outcome of the governorship election on March 18 accurately represented the people’s yearning for a shift towards positive development and progress, adding that he remained optimistic that the collective decision of the people will ultimately prevail.

He stated: “The ruling by the Appeal Court today is a temporary setback. However, I remain optimistic that the collective decision of the people will ultimately prevail.

“We will emerge victorious. Our unwavering determination and steadfast commitment leave no room for doubt or fear.

“We faced numerous challenges on the road to victory in the last election. But let me assure our people that we are fully committed to going to great lengths to retain this widely acclaimed mandate.

“I want to call on the people of Zamfara to remain calm. Our legal team is thoroughly reviewing the verdict. We will follow through with the necessary actions to achieve a just outcome.”