Elections: Setback for Zamfara APC as judges withdraw

Justices of the Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal on Monday
disqualified themselves from hearing the case on the qualification
of Zamfara All Progressives Congress (APC) to field candidates for
the upcoming general election.

The judges made the decision reportedly after allegations
emanated they were bribed.

A Zamfara High Court had recognised the primary elections held
by the APC in the state and declared that INEC accept the party’s
candidates for the elections.

On the same day the Zamafa court ruled, an Abuja court validated
INEC’s decision to disqualify the APC from participating in
elections in Zamfara.

Based on the contradictory rulings, INEC said it would stand by
its decision to disqualify the ruling party. INEC disqualified the
APC from governorship and parliamentary elections in Ekiti after
the party failed to conduct its primaries within the stipulated
time.

Unsatisfied with Zamfara high court decision, the appellant,
Aminu Jaji, a governorship aspirant and serving lawmaker
representing Kauran Namoda/ Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency
approached the appeal court to set aside the judgement.

The judge, Ahmad Belgore, ruled that based on circulated media
allegations and issues raised by Muhammad Nuhu, counsel to a
senator, Kabiru Marafa, the justices would not continue with the
case.

Mr Belgore said in recognition of the magnitude of allegations
and present situation in judiciary as well as the nation, the
judges surrendered that the President of the Court of Appeal should
constitute new panel to entertain the matter.

He told all parties to the case to await the constitution of a
new panel that would consider the matter.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to the respondents told the
court that some of his clients have accused the justices of
receiving three million dollars to compromise the case.

Earlier, counsel to the appellant, Ishiyaku Dikko (SAN) had
applied to withdraw the entire appeal, which was rejected by the
court on the ground that he ought to wait until the slated date for
substantive hearing.

(NAN)