Ozekhome kicks as Malami asks INEC to shift election in Zamfara

All Progressives Congress’ battle to participate in the governorship election has entered another phase as the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission asking it to postpone the governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly elections in the state.
Malami noted this in a letter dated February 13, 2019 with reference number MJ/DSD/03, which is already generating debate – especially online where it first surfaced.
According to him, the letter was informed by a petition he received from the law firm of M.A Mahmud & Co.
He anchored his request for the postponement of the elections in Zamfara State on a judgment of the Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal.
“In view of the fact, now that the Court of Appeal has upheld the primaries as valid, the APC in Zamfara State will need a little time to catch up with its contemporaries in the election.
“Granting them this concession is not necessarily a favour but a right that inures to all contestants under similar circumstances.
“Consequent on the above, INEC is invited to comply with the judgement of the Court of Appeal by admitting the results of the APC Zamfara State Primaries and to also comply with the provisions of Section38 of the Electoral Act which empowers INEC to postpone the election for the governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly Elections.”
But a lawyer acting for Senator Kabir Marafa and other parties involved n the matter, Chief Mike Ozekhome, has faulted Malami’s position in the letter.
He said, “There is absolutely no legal basis whatsoever for this letter which is clearly meant to circumvent the judicial process already activated by all parties concerned.
“I act for Senator Kabiru Marafa, Hon Dauda Lawal and others.”