Appeal Court verdict temporary setback, says Zamfara gov

Zamfara State Governor,  Dauda Lawal, on Friday, described Thursday’s Court of Appeal’s verdict that declared the March 18 governorship poll in the state inconclusive as a temporary setback.

The governor, in a statement by his spokesperson, Sulaiman  Idris, said his legal team was reviewing the judgment before taking the next necessary action.

The appellate court had held that the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bello Matawalle, successfully proved that Lawal was not duly elected and ordered a rerun in three local government areas of Maradun, Birnin-Magaji, and Bukkuyum

Lawal however, said the court’s verdict will not deter him from retaining the mandate given to him by the people.

He said he was elected due to dissatisfaction with the status quo in the state.

The statement read in part, “The outcome of the governorship election on March 18 accurately represented the people’s yearning for a shift towards positive development and progress.

“The ruling by the Appeal Court on Thursday is a temporary setback.

“However, I remain optimistic that the collective decision of the people will ultimately prevail.

“We will emerge victorious as 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.”

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