Zamfara: Return power to APC, coalition tells S’ Court 

ABUJA, Nigeria – A civil rights movement under the aegis of Coalition for the Sustenance of Democracy (CSD), has called on the Supreme Court to return power to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after sacking all its elected officials during the 2019 general elections.

The demand came with about two weeks to the March 2 date to hear the appeal filed by the APC in the Apex Court. The Supreme Court had, last year, nullified the victory of all officers elected on the platform of the APC over claims that the party did not conduct primaries within stipulated time as set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The National Coordinator of CSD, Igwe Uchenna and Organizing Secretary, Isa Attah, expressed these views in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday. 

The CSD said, “The Zamfara judgment ought not to have been heard in the first instance because it remains a pre-election matter. It is unlike the Imo guber election judgment which is an election matter. It is unlike Bayelsa which is anchored on forgery. Here it is a pre-election matter as to the emergence of candidates of the APC. Without a doubt, there were congresses for state assembly, national assembly and the governorship.

“The overwhelming votes for the candidates of the APC is enough testament to the confidence and willingness of the people on those to lead them. This should count for something in the hearts of the Hon. Justices. Our demand remains that on March 2, the court should demonstrate as it has always done that the peace, stability and the greater

“The fit and proper thing for the apex court to do in upholding the mandate of the people of Zamfara state freely given to those elected on the platform of the APC. To do otherwise as has been the case this few months is untenable, dangerous and usurpation of the right of the people of Zamfara to choose those who should govern them.

“Without a doubt, the apex court is final but not infallible, therefore, the review of the case in favour of the party and candidates that rightly won the election will be remember as one glorious moment in the nation’s judiciary.

“The fact of the matter remains that the party duly held party primaries on the day before the closing day of for such an exercise and the INEC was duly informed. It remains a matter of wonder and curiosity that the leading political party in Zamfara state could be jettisoned in such a manner that its candidates that won elections have been denied the opportunity to serve their people, attend to their electorate and engendered democratic growth.

“This appeal is to essentially charge the Honourable Justices to show that they are humans, but worthy and dignified ones who are aware of their wide ranging powers but act in the greater interest of the people and justice.”