Zamfara Guber: Group To Mobilize 300 Lawyers To Support Mattawale

The Association of Concerned Citizens has pledged to raise a minimum of three hundred lawyers to support All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Zamfara State governor, Bello Mattawale, before the Supreme Court.

This comes after Governor Dauda Lawal and the Peoples Democratic Party promised to appeal to the highest court after the Appeal Court's ruling forced replays in three of the state's local government areas: Maradun, Birnin-Magaji, and Bukkuyum.

Judge Oyebisi Folayemi, the panel's leader, along with Justices Cordelia Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo and Sybil Nwaka Gbagi nullified the declaration of Governor Lawal as the winner of the March 18 governorship election.

Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Sunday, lawyers affiliated with the Concerned Citizens platform from each of Nigeria's six geopolitical zones said that the goal of organizing 300 lawyers was to defend the country's democracy against those who might try to intimidate the court system and rig elections.

The group's national coordinator, Bassey Ekemini, emphasized that in order to preserve its supremacy and put an end to the haughtiness of individuals who think they are in charge of Zamfara, the Supreme Court must act independently on the day of judgement.

“We have mobilised a legion of lawyers, opinion leaders, and comrades who crusade for truth and justice. They stand as the conscience of the bar and society, showing solidarity and seeking justice for our Governor-in-waiting, Mattawale,” he said.

Ekemini encouraged the supreme court to uphold the ruling of the Appellate Court, which had protected the mandate of the Zamfara people, with courage and in accordance with accepted legal doctrine.

“We stand by the mandate given to Bello Mattawalle in March 2023 and ask the highest court not to pervert justice. The respected Justices must not succumb to perceived intimidation and media manipulation,” Ekemini added.