There is a tangible sense of unease at the premises of the Court of Appeal in Abuja as it gears up to deliver a crucial judgment in the legal tussle over the Zamfara State Governorship election.
This battle involves the former governor of the state, Bello Matawale of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and his successor, Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Matawale, currently serving as the Minister of State for Defense, suffered a resounding defeat with over 65,000 votes at the March 18 gubernatorial poll, as indicated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC credited Lawal of the PDP with 377,726 votes, while Matawale of the APC was reported to have secured 311,976 votes.
A three-man panel of Justices of the Court, led by Oyebisi Folayemi and supported by Cordelia Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo and Sybil Nwaka Gbagi, is expected to deliver the much-anticipated verdict.
The Zamfara State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal had previously affirmed the election of Lawal on September 18.
As of the time of filing this report, stringent security measures have been put in place around the court premises to forestall any potential breach of law and order following the judgment.
A group of supporters, who had gathered at the court as early as 8 am, are being held back at a considerable distance by heavily armed mobile policemen.
Already, the courtroom is packed with friends, supporters, and political allies of the two factions.
Meanwhile, the arrival of the Justices to deliver the judgment is eagerly awaited.
