The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Zamfara State Governor.
The apex court also upheld the victory of Francis Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Governor of Ebonyi State.
The apex court set aside the decision of the court of appeal declaring the governorship election in Zamafara State inconclusive.
The tribunal had dismissed the petition of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bello Matawalle, challenging the victory of Dauda Lawal of the PDP.
But at the appeal court, the court declared the election in the state inclusive and ordered a rerun in three local government areas which are Maradun, Birnin-Magaji, and Bukkuyum.
The court held that it was wrong for the Independent National Electoral Commission to adopt results from the IReV to declare the winner in the affected LGA, adding that “IReV is not part of the collation system but for viewing purposes.”
Reading the lead judgment at the Supreme Court, Emmanuel Agim described the decision of the appeal court as perverse.
He held that the respondents did not provide substantial evidence to prove their allegations of overvoting, among others.
Agim said, “The court of appeal decision is perverse. Has no evidential foundation. Although the appeal has merit, it succeeds, and it is allowed.
“The order that the election is inclusive is hereby set aside. The election of the appellant is upheld.”
For Ebonyi, the court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, dismissing the appeal of Chukwuma Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for lacking in merit.
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