PDP’s Dauda Lawal unseats Matawalle in Zamfara

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Dauda Lawal has unseated Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state in what may be described as the biggest upset of the general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Lawal the governor-elect after he defeated Matawalle of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 377,726 votes.

In the early hours of Tuesday, he was declared the winner in Gusau, the state capital.

Governor Bello Mohammed of Zamfara State

This followed some minor drama surrounding the presentation of the Maradun Local Government Area (LGA) results, in which allegations surfaced that the Collation Officer, Dr Ahmed Kainuwa, had been abudcted.

However, upon arrival at state collation centre at the INEC headquarters in Gusau, Kainuwa gave the reasons for his delayed appearance.

Reacting to his victory at the polls, Dauda Lawal posted a video of himself praying. He wrote, “All Power and glory belongs to Allah.”

All Power and glory belongs to Allah. Alhamdullilah!!! pic.twitter.com/RFPdHu5YvO

— Dauda Lawal (@Dr_DaudaLawal) March 21, 2023