Jubilation in Zamfara as Supreme Court nullifies APC candidates’ elections, declares PDP winner of polls
The Supreme Court on Friday nullified the elections of all the candidates of the All Progressives Congress in Zamfara State in the 2019 general elections.
Delivering a unanimous judgment of the five-man panel led by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, the apex court declared the first runners-up in the 2019 general elections in the state as the winners of all the posts earlier declared to have been won by the APC and its candidates.
Justice Paul Galinje, who read the lead judgment upheld the decision of the Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal to the effect that the APC did not conduct any valid primary election and as such had no candidate for any of the elections in the state.
He described the votes polled by the APC candidates in the elections as wasted, adding that the party and the candidates with the second highest votes and the spread in the various elections were the valid winners.
The judgment centres on the governorship, state House of Assembly and the National Assembly elections conducted in Zamfara State on February 23 and March 11, 2019.
APC candidates, including the outgoing governor of the Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, who was elected to the Senate, had won most of the offices contested for in the 2019 elections with the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidates, placing first runners-up in the polls Punch
Jubilation in Zamfara as Supreme Court voids APC victory
Reactions have begun to trail the Supreme Court judgement that voided the Zamfara State All Progressives Congress victory in the National and State elections held in February and March, this year.
Residents of Gusau, the state capital, mostly youths, trooped to the streets bearing posters of the Peoples Democratic Party.
A cross section of the jubilant crowd described the Supreme Court’s verdict as a victory for the rule of law and that, it would stop other leaders who are thinking of imposing candidates on the people.
APC factional chairman in Zamfara State loyal to Senator Kabiru Marafa, Alhaji Sirajo Maikatako, described the verdict as a positive development for democracy in the country.
He said, “It is sad that the Supreme Court verdict gave victory to the party with the second highest votes, (but) we are happy because it is now obvious that the supremacy of party stands above imposition.”
A statement from the PDP governorship candidate campaign organisation signed by Umar Muhammad called on the people of the state to be law abiding in their celebrations.
According to the statement, “Today’s decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Abuja is a great testimony that truth and patience will always excel.
“We at the Matawalle campaign organization wish to extend our gratitude to the Almighty Allah and the entire people of Zamfara State especially the PDP supporters for their patience and good conduct while the court judgment lasted.” Punch
