APC welcomes Court ruling affirming Bello Matawalle as Zamfara Governor

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the Monday’s Federal High Court Judgement affirming Bello Muhammad Matawalle as the Governor of Zamfara State.

A statement issued yesterday by the National Secretary of APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), John James Akpanudoedehe, the party said on behalf of the National Chairman of the APC National Caretaker Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni, the party is hailing the Judiciary for defending the Constitution and the popular mandate of Alh. Bello Muhammad Matawalle as the Governor of Zamfara State.

“The Federal High Court (Gusau Judicial Division) in dismissing the suit challenging Bello Muhammad Matawalle Governorship of Zamfara State upon his defection from the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the whole case was “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 political party upon which he was elected.

“That Governor Bello Muhammad 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 APC congratulates Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle on his affirmation by the High Court. 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 North West”, the statement said.