Group tells Supreme Court to revise judgment on Zamfara

A coalition of civil society organisation, has called on the Supreme Court of Nigeria to revise its judgment on Zamfara election appeal.

The apex court had, on May 24, 2019, nullified the governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections in Zamfara which returned the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidates for the various position, over improper primaries of the party.

The judgement also handed the leadership of the state at all levels to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Unsatisfied with the decision of the Supreme Court, APC had requested for a review of the judgement, which is billed to hold March 2, 2020.

At a press briefing in Abuja Tuesday, February 18, 2020, the coalition, under the aegis of Coalition for the Sustenance of Democracy, said the apex court ought not to have nullified the APC elections in the first place.

"Without a doubt, the apex court is final but not infallible, therefore, the review of the case in favour of the party and candidates that rightly won the election will be remembered as one glorious moment in the nation’s judiciary", the coalition maintained.

It argued that, the primaries for the party were concluded a day to the deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the election umpire was also duly informed.

"The fact of the matter remains that the party duly held party primaries on the day before the closing day of for such an exercise and the INEC was duly informed.

"It remains a matter of wonder and curiosity that the leading political party in Zamfara state could be jettisoned in such a manner that its candidates that won elections have been denied the opportunity to serve their people, attend to their electorate and engendered democratic growth.

"This appeal is to essentially charge the honourable justices to show that they are humans, but worthy and dignified ones who are aware of their wide ranging powers but act in the greater interest of the people and justice".

Igwe Uchenna and Attah Isa who spoke on behalf of the coalition, claimed that, "the overwhelming votes for the candidates of the APC is enough testament to the confidence and willingness of the people on those to lead them. This should count for something in the hearts of the justices".

The group therefore, demanded that the court should return the mandate freely given by the people of Zamfara to APC candidates during the 2019 general elections.