By John Ikani
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld Dauda Lawal as the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the governorship race in Zamfara State.
This decision comes just four days ahead of the governorship election slated for March 11, 2023, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a unanimous verdict, the five-man panel of Justices dismissed an appeal lodged against Lawal’s nomination by Dr Ibrahim Gusau, another governorship aspirant.
Justice Adamu Jauro delivered the lead judgment, affirming that Lawal was legally and lawfully nominated in compliance with the provisions of the law.
The Court of Appeal Sokoto had previously endorsed the second primary election that produced Lawal as the candidate on January 6, 2023.
Lawal garnered 442 votes to defeat Dr Ibrahim Gusau and other contestants in the primary election.
Justice Jauro ruled that the Federal High Court in Gusau lacked jurisdiction to nullify the primary elections twice as it had done when it adjudicated upon the suit instituted by Dr Gusau.
The first PDP governorship primary election held on May 25, 2022, was contested at the Federal High Court in Gusau and nullified.
The court ordered a fresh primary election, which took place on September 23, 2022, but was also annulled by the same court due to irregularities.
In response to the ruling, Lawal, Adamu Maina-Waziri, the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee, and retired Col. Bala Mande approached the Appeal Court for redress.
The Court of Appeal Sokoto Division validated the primary election that produced Lawal as the candidate of the PDP for the governorship election in Zamfara State.
