Zakawanu, Edo Former Speaker, Secures Victory for Zamfara Governor at Supreme Court
By: Dada Ayokhai
Former Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon Zakawanu Garuba, scored a landmark legal victory as he led the team of lawyers who successfully argued the case of Alhaji Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara State, at the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had declared the election of the APC candidate invalid and proceeded to announce the second runner up winner on grounds of substantial non compliance with provisions of the electoral law on the conduct of party primaries.
However, one of political parties that also contested the governorship election notably, the Advanced Democratic Peoples Alliance, APDA, ran to the Election Petition Tribunal, in Gusau, to challenge the declaration of the PDP candidate as beneficiary of the Supreme Court judgement.
APDA's petition at the tribunal was based on the spread of votes across the state. It maintained the PDP candidate did not obtain the required spread to be declared as duly elected, in accordance with law.
Zakawanu Garuba was lead counsel to the first respondent, governor Bello Matawalle.
The former Edo State House of Assembly Speaker handled the case from the Tribunal to the Supreme Court, along with a retinue of other lawyers.
Rt Hon Zakawanu Garuba was a two term member of the state assembly. He later became Speaker between 2007 to 2011.
During his tenure, the idea of an "open and robust" legislature gained prominence. Several bills and motions was passed to enhance service delivery and good governance in the state.
Zak, as he's fondly addressee by friends and associates, was adjudged as the best Speaker in the South- south geo political zone. This is apart from the numerous awards he garnered from various clubs, students' unions and others.
He later served as a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC.
After serving SEC as a Commissioner, Zak went back to his first love, that is, law.
Thus, his recent Supreme Court success represents a gigantic leap forward for his legal and political career
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