The Court of Appeal in Sokoto has made a significant ruling regarding the governorship candidacy for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara state.
The Court has reinstated Dauda Lawal as the PDP’s candidate, overturning a previous ruling by the Federal High Court which had nullified the primaries that produced Lawal as the candidate and declared that the PDP did not have a gubernatorial candidate in the state.
On Friday, the Court of Appeal made its decision, with all members of the three-man panel concurring with the lead judgement given by Justice Muhammad Shu’aibu.
The Court ordered the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to accept Lawal as the elected governorship candidate of the PDP in Zamfara state for the 2023 general election.
The Court of Appeal panel highlighted several issues with the ruling of the Federal High Court. Firstly, the panel stated that it was inconceivable for the Federal High Court Judge to refuse to accept the INEC report of the primaries, considering it was a public document and had been published on the INEC website.
The panel also pointed out that the appellant, Dauda Lawal, was not properly joined by the plaintiffs in the case.
Furthermore, the panel emphasized that a court cannot grant a relief that is not sought by the plaintiff, stating “the court is not Father Christmas.”
In response to the Court of Appeal’s ruling, Dauda Lawal released a statement through the Dauda Lawal Media Office.
In the statement, Lawal described the ruling as a victory not just for the PDP, but for the entire people of Zamfara who are seeking good governance.
Lawal went on to say that the people of Zamfara are celebrating the Court’s ruling due to their belief that under his leadership, Zamfara state will be a model for new ideas, determination, dynamism, and endless possibilities.
