Tension as Appeal Court sets for judgment in Zamfara guber

Palpable tension has enveloped the premises of the Court of Appeal in Abuja as the Court is set to deliver a make or mar judgment in the legal battle on the Zamfara State Governorship election.

According to reports, the battle is between the immediate past governor of the State, Bello Matawale of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and his successor, Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Matawale, who was roundly defeated with over 65,000 votes at the March 18 gubernatorial poll, is currently the Minister of State for Defense.

Specifically, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), credited Lawal of the PDP with 377,726 votes, while Matawalle of APC was said to have scored 311,976 votes.

A 3-man panel of Justices of the Court led by Oyebisi Folayemi and supported by Cordelia Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo and Sybil Nwaka Gbagi is being expected to deliver the verdict.

The Zamfara State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal had on September 18 affirmed the election of Lawal.

As of the time of this report, heavy security has been woven around the court to ward off possible breakdown of law and order after the judgment.

A group of sympathizers who had stormed the court as early as 8 am is being restricted to far distance by heavily armed mobile policemen.

Already, the court room has been jam-packed by friends, sympathizers and political associates of the two groups.

Meanwhile, the Justices are being awaited for the delivery of the judgment.