Zamfara Election Tribunal Adjourns After Former Governor Matawalle Presents Witnesses

The Zamfara Governorship Election Petition Tribunal adjourned its proceedings until July 19.

The break in the tribunal’s proceedings comes after former governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, presented 19 witnesses to support his challenge against the current Governor, Dauda Lawal-Dare.

Matawalle, a candidate from the All Progressives Congress, contests the election of Dare from the Peoples Democratic Party.

He claims the March 18, 2023, election was fraught with irregularities and seeks the tribunal’s verdict to name him the rightful winner, alleging he received the majority of lawful votes.

Matawalle also appealed to the tribunal to instruct the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue him a new certificate of return.

In the hearing on Friday, Matawalle’s lead attorney, Mr. Usman Sule, called on the 19th witness, Dr. Ahmad Kainuwa, who acted as the Returning Officer of Maradun Local Government Area during the election.

Kainuwa testified that the result sheet he presented to INEC differed from the one on the server.

He mentioned that INEC officials instructed him to present the server results, claiming them to be authentic.

Kainuwa also revealed there was tension during the collation process in Maradun, as he was directed to speed up the process due to incoming bandits.

During cross-examination, Kainuwa confirmed the existence of differing figures and identified the ones he had produced.

Justice Cordelia Ogadi, the Tribunal Chairperson, postponed the proceedings until July 19, allowing time for Lawal and the Peoples Democratic Party to prepare their defense.