Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has reacted to the Appeal Court judgement that sacked the Zamfara State Governor, Daudu Lawal, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Dauda as winner of the election.
However, the APC governorship candidate, Bello Matawalle, challenged the outcome of the March 18 governorship election at the tribunal, but his petition was dismissed for lack of merit.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, the Court of Appeal declared the election inconclusive and ordered INEC to hold a fresh election in three local governments.
The three-member panel of justices annulled the victory of Lawal and ordered a rerun of the election in three local government areas.
The affected LGAs are Maradun, Birnin Magaji and Bukuyun.
In a post via X, Fani-Kayode congratulated Matawalle and commended the judiciary for having the courage to sack Dauda, stressing that the verdict was the beginning process of returning a stolen mandate.
He expressed optimism that Matawalle will return as the Governor after the rerun, despite the media slur and allegations against him in the last few months.
He wrote: “I congratulate my friend and brother, the Hon. Minister of State for Defence Bello Muhammad, Matawallen Maradun, on a resounding victory at the Election Appeal Tribunal today.
“I commend the panel of judges and the judiciary generally for having the courage to do the right and proper thing and beginning the process of returning what was a stolen mandate to its rightful owner.
“I have no doubt that the people of Zamfara are overjoyed and they will soon have cause to rejoice even more when the rerun takes place and Matawalle finally returns as Governor despite all the media slurs and attacks and the vicious calmuny of lies that he has been subjected to by his many detractors over the last few months.
“His victory at the court today is a testimony to Gods goodness, mercy, grace, power and greatness and a confirmation of the fact that in the end light always overcomes darkness.
“Well done brother! I am proud of you and very happy for you. You will never fail, falter or fall because the Lord is with you!”