M.D. MUHAMMAD, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, delivered on 12th day of December 2019, dismissing the appellants’ appeal against the decision of the Zamfara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
The appellants had filed a petition at the tribunal challenging the declaration and return of the 1st respondent as the Governor of Zamfara State by the 3rd respondent. The latter had adjudged that the 1st respondent had scored majority of lawful votes cast at the election and fulfilled the constitutional requirement for his declaration and return. 1st respondent’s declaration and return by the 3rd respondent, INEC, was sequel to the decision of the Supreme Court on the 24th May 2019 in appeal No. SC.377/2019 between APC and Anor v. Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and 179 Ors, (now reported in (2020) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1721) 383) wherein the court held that APC had no candidates in the Govern…