Politics
Supreme Court upholds election of Zamfara Governor, Dauda Lawal
The Supreme Court, on Friday, upheld the election of Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.
The apex court vacated the November 16, 2023 judgement of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, which declared the governorship election that held in the state on March 18, as inconclusive.
It held that Lawal, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, secured the majority of lawful votes and was rightly declared the winner of the gubernatorial contest by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
In the lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court, described the verdict of the appellate court as “perverse”.
It restored the earlier decision of the Zamfara State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which affirmed Lawal’s election victory.
It will be recalled that INEC had declared that Governor Lawal of the PDP polled a total of 377,726 votes to defeat the immediate past governor of the state and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, who scored 311,976 votes.
The declaration by INEC was on September 18, 2023, affirmed by the tribunal which held that Matawalle, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, failed to establish his allegation that some polling unit results were excluded by the electoral body.
The tribunal further held that Matawalle and his party failed to prove their claim that INEC did not comply with electoral rules while conducting the election, even as it awarded a cost of N500,000 against the Appellants.
However, the appellate court voided the judgement of the tribunal and declared the Zamfara state governorship election as inconclusive.
The appellate court nullified the return of Governor Dauda as the winner of the gubernatorial contest.
It ordered INEC to conduct a fresh election in three Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the state where election results were either not counted or unlawfully cancelled.
Specifically, while the appellate court ordered a fresh poll in the entire Maradun LGA of the state, it directed INEC to hold elections in some polling units in Birnin-Magaji and Bukyum LGAs.
The appellate court held that the tribunal wrongly evaluated the evidence that was presented before it by the parties.
It held that INEC acted wrongly when it relied on information it obtained from its IReV portal to collate the final result of the governorship election.
According to the court, the IReV was only meant for the benefit of the public and not to serve as an election result collation platform.
Besides, the appellate court stressed that going by the margin of lead principle, INEC, ought not have made a return in the election, considering the existence of over 98, 904 votes in the three affected LGAs.
It held that the Appellant, Matawalle, successfully discharged the burden of proof that was placed on him by the law to warrant the invalidation of the declaration of Governor Lawal as the bonafide winner of the gubernatorial election.
“The 1st Respondent was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes. His return was not in compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act,” the appellate court held.
However, in its judgement on Friday, the Supreme Court vacated the Court of Appeal decision for being perverse and against the weight of evidence.
The Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC) has commended the Supreme Court of Nigeria for its pivotal ruling that reaffirms the rule of law and the integrity of democratic processes amid the ongoing leadership crisis within the Labour Party.
The LPPMC stated, “This judgement, which nullified the illegitimate conventions orchestrated by the defunct Julius Abure-led faction, is a triumph for democracy and a strong rebuke of political impunity.”
In a statement released by its National Coordinator, Dr Kingsley Okundaye, the LPPMC expressed unwavering support for the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Political Commission, and members of the former National Transition Committee, whose relentless efforts to restore integrity, transparency, and accountability to the Labour Party have been vindicated by the judiciary.
The LPPMC praised their “dogged” commitment to rescuing the party from the clutches of political opportunists who sought to exploit it for personal gain.
Additionally, the LPPMC welcomed the swift clarification from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 8 May 2025, which refuted misleading media reports claiming recognition of unauthorised individuals as Labour Party leaders. INEC’s statement, signed by Chief Press Secretary Rotimi Oyekanmi, reaffirmed that the Commission had not made any decisions regarding the Labour Party and emphasised its commitment to reviewing the Supreme Court judgement before taking lawful action.
Okundaye urged INEC to maintain its bold and impartial stance, stressing that democracy flourishes when institutions courageously reject undue influence and uphold constitutional mandates.
The LPPMC encouraged INEC to expedite its review process and formally recognise the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the legitimate interim leadership of the Labour Party, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The LPPMC condemned the desperate attempts of the defunct Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), whose tenure expired on 8 June 2024, noting that their recent efforts to suspend duly elected officials such as Governor Alex Otti and Senators Ireti Kingibe and Darlington Nwokocha are a ridiculous charade, and “a dead lion’s growl” lacking any legitimacy.
Joining millions of Nigerians, the LPPMC rejected any agenda to impose a one-party state or undermine the coalition of progressive forces ahead of the 2027 elections. It called on all patriotic Nigerians, civil society organisations, and the international community to support the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led Committee in auditing the Labour Party’s finances and revealing the years of corruption under the Abure faction.
Okundaye emphasised the need to pressure INEC to act decisively in recognising lawful leadership and removing impostors from its records, resisting anti-democratic coalitions that prioritise personal interests over national liberation.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport. It demands vigilance, courage, and collective action. Let us build on this momentum to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from predatory elites.”
The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, has levelled serious accusations against the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, claiming he has attempted to utilise the party’s platform to incite insurrection in Nigeria.
In a recent appearance on News Central, Arabambi dismissed Obi’s assertions that he won the last presidential election, further igniting the ongoing internal disputes within the party.
This statement follows a significant decision made by the faction of the party led by Peter Obi, who recently announced the indefinite suspension of several notable members, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT), and Senator Darlighton Nwokocha (Abia Central), citing alleged anti-party activities.
The announcement came after an emergency meeting of the faction’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held in Abuja, where members reviewed the findings of a five-member Disciplinary Committee established the week prior.
Chaired by Deputy National Chairman Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, the committee included National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim and three other senior party officials, tasked with investigating the misconduct allegations against those suspended.
Following what they termed “exhaustive deliberation” and in accordance with the Labour Party Constitution, the NEC ratified the committee’s recommendations.
Other members suspended with immediate effect include Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.
Arabambi expressed disbelief at the audacity of Otti and Obi, stating, “How can Alex Otti and Obi claim to be chairman and secretary? They even have the nerve to write to INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) as chairman and secretary to convene a NEC meeting.”
He referenced specific sections of the party’s constitution, asserting, “Section 82(1) stipulates that such letters must be signed by the national chairman of the party, and Section 12 clearly states that any association wishing to register as a political party must have its own constitution. Furthermore, Section 3, number 222 of the Constitution forbids caretakers from managing the affairs of a political party.”
Arabambi went on to criticise the party’s leadership, saying, “They brought in Dr. Doyin Okupe; now they have turned to Nenadi Usman.” He alleged that Usman has an unresolved matter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dating back to 2015, adding, “Obi is synonymous with associating with corrupt individuals.”
He continued, “They claim to be nationalists, but they are nothing but intruders — people intent on setting Nigeria ablaze. Peter Obi and others do not love Nigeria; they require the platform to unleash chaos for political insurrection.”
Arabambi concluded, “They assert they were robbed in the 2023 election, but I am here to tell Nigerians through your station that were not rigged. The individuals Peter Obi relied upon were responsible for our electoral misfortunes.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday warned against the creation of a one-party state, saying any nation that must practice it must do so carefully and with a well-planned process and projected outcome.
He stated this in Abuja while paying tribute to the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, at a memorial lecture and day of tribute.
Jonathan warned that any attempt to bring about a one-party state through political machinations to soothe only personal aspirations will be detrimental to the country.
The former president also called on the family of the late former federal commissioner to, among other things, set up a yearly memorial lecture in his honour to continue to push his ideas and what he stood for, which is a united, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.
On his part, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, lamented that the labour of our heroes past was already in vain.
The former Anambra State governor highlighted the endemic poverty in rural areas, the state of insecurity, and the rising cost of living.
He maintained that the labour of people like Pa Edwin Clark had not paid off, as the sacrifices people like Pa Clark made were in vain today.
The chairman on the occasion and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said that the task of ensuring that Nigeria remains united and indivisible must be ensured by all, as the nation could only make progress if national interest was put before any personal interest.