September 16, (THEWILL) – A Federal high court sitting in Gusau, Zamfara state, has nullified the primary election that produced Dauda Lawal, as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election in the State.

Lawal had polled 431 votes to win the governorship ticket in the party’s primary, held on May 25, 2022.

Three other aspirants including Abubakar Nakwada, Wadatau Madawaki, and Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau had earlier withdrawn from the race, alleging irregularities.

But Adamu Maina, the returning officer for the primary, said their withdrawal was declined since it was without formal notice.

Shehu-Gusau, Madawaki and Aliyu Hafiz Muhammad had approached the court to challenge the legality of the primary that produced Lawal as the party’s candidate.

They requested that the exercise be annulled due to alleged anomalies, contradictions, fraud, and violations of the party’s constitution and electoral laws, among other things.

Delivering judgement on Friday, Aminu Bappa, the presiding judge, granted all the prayers of the plaintiffs and nullified the primary.

He also ordered that a fresh primary should be conducted to produce an authentic flagbearer.

Addressing journalists after the ruling, Ibrahim Aliyu, counsel to the plaintiffs, expressed joy over the outcome, describing it as a victory for democracy.

“The court looked at the merit of the matter and decided the case in favour of the plaintiffs. Our prayers were that the primary elections conducted by a committee, led by Adamu Maina Waziri, be nullified by the court and order be given by the court for the conduct of a fresh election in line with the PDP’s constitution and guidelines. All our prayers have been granted.

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“The judgement was well evaluated because we proved our case beyond reasonable doubts and we are happy with the decision of the court.”

Also speaking on the ruling, Imraan Ahmad, a media aide to Lawal, said his principal will appeal the judgement.

However, the state legal adviser of the PDP in the state, Barrister Bashir Abubakar Masama, said the party would study the judgement and take the next line of action.