The Supreme Court has laid to rest all controversies over the nomination of Dauda Lawal-Dare as it confirms him as the authentic governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Zamfara State for the March 11 governorship election.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro, the apex court upheld the judgment of the Court of Appeal which had on January 6, 2023 endorsed the second primary election that produced the candidate and dismissed the appeal by Ibrahim Sheu- Gusau, who is also a governorship aspirant.
The court upheld that the submissions of Damian Dodo counsel for the Governorship candidate, that his client was legally and lawfully nominated in line with the provisions of the law.
Dauda Lawal-Dare had in the primary election polled 442 votes to emerge victorious over Ibrahim Gusau and Other aspirants.
Justice Jauro held that a Federal High Court in Gusau which nullified the primary elections twice had no jurisdiction at the time it adjudicated upon the suit instituted by Gusau.
The Court of Appeal Sokoto Division had on June 6 upheld the primary election which produced Dauda Lawal-Dare as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the March 11, 2023, governorship election in Zamfara State.
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The first PDP governorship primary election held on May 25, 2022 was challenged at a Federal High Court in Gusau and the court ordered a fresh primary election which was conducted on September 23, 2022 but was also quashed by the same court for irregularities.
Not satisfied with the High Court decision, Dauda Lawal-Dare, Adamu Maina-Waziri, the Chairman Primary Election Committee; and retired Col. Bala Mande approached the Appeal Court and all preliminary objections were dismissed.
Respondents in appeal were Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau, Wadatau Madawaki, Hafiz Nahuche and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
