Joshua Omoloye, Abuja
The All-Progressives Congress (APC) has rejoiced with Governor Bello Matawalle over his victory at the Federal High Court confirming him as duly elected governor of Zamfara State.
The party in a statement on Tuesday, signed by its National Secretary, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, (CECPC) John James Akpanudoedehe at the party commended the judiciary for defending the mandate of Bello Muhammad Matawalle as the Governor of Zamfara State.
Gov. Okowa Approves Recruitment of 1,500 Teachers
“The Federal High Court, (Gusau Judicial Division) in dismissing the suit challenging Bello Muhammad Matawalle, Governor of Zamfara State upon his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, declared the case ‘devoid of merit’.
“Based on Monday’s judgement, the Honorable Court held that there is no provision in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which states that a Governor will lose his seat whenever he defects to another Party other than the the political party upon which he was elected.
“That Governor Matawalle has the right to assembly and association with respect to joining or belonging to a political party. In exercise of his right of freedom of association guaranteed under section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he can defect to any party of his choice and still maintain his seat as the Governor of Zamfara State,” the statement stated.
The APC congratulates Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle on his affirmation by the High Court noting that “the development will undoubtedly buoy Governor Matawalle’s administration to continue implementing the many socio-economic development plans for Zamfara State as well as contribute towards efforts to tackle security challenges in the Northwest.”
