Zamfara PDP's Plan To Remove Governor Matawalle Finally Crashes, As Appeal Court Dismisses The Case For Lack Of Merit

Zamfara PDP’s Plan To Remove Governor Matawalle Finally Crashes, As Appeal Court Dismisses The Case For Lack Of Merit

Omonaijablog July 13, 2022 2 min read

The Zamfara State All Progressives Congress has received with utmost pleasure, the dismissal of the Appeal and Cross Appeal filed by Mahadi Aliyu Gusau demanding the removal of Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle as the governor of Zamfara.by the Appeal Court, Sokoto Division today.

The development followed today’s judgment delivered by the Appeal Court, Sokoto presided by Justice A A Gumel which affirmed the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, Gusau which held that Governor Matawalle can’t be removed from office simply because he defected from PDP to the APC.

The Court of Appeal in a unanimous judgment, held that Governor Matawalle has the right to defect to any political party of his choice. The Court held that the provision of the Constitution is very clear to the effect that no punishment was provided against a governor who defects to another party.

Moreso, it indicated that Governor Matawalle can’t vacate his seat and no Court of law can remove him just because of his decision to defect to another political party of his choice.

Similarly, the Court while DISMISSING the Cross Appeal filed by Barr Mahadi Aliyu Gusau, the impeached former deputy governor of the state, held that, Mahadi Aliyu Gusau can’t succeed Matawalle merely because he defected from PDP to APC.

The Court added that once a governor is sworn in, he ceases to be under the control of the political party which sponsored him.

The Court of Appeal awarded #1M cost in favour of the 1st and 2nd Respondents in the main appeal.

The two judgments were delivered by Justice A.A Gumel, the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division.

The other justices who concurred with the judgment were Justice Mukhtar and Justice Dan-Juma.

The party is happy with the judgment and the court has proved that the judiciary is working towards protecting every citizen’s right according to the law of land.

With today’s judgment however, the PDP has been totally grounded with no option than to accept the grand loss at all levels

Because APC is waxing stronger and more formidable under the Chairmanship of Hon Tukur Umar Danfulani, with support of APC leader Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle the scare will increase at the PDP house but our doors shall remain open to receive anyone who realizes that the APC is the way to go.