Gov Matawalle suffers set back as court stops impeachment of Zamfara Deputy Governor

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has suffered first setback in the battle with Deputy Governor Mahdi Gusau after the deputy governor declined defecting with the governor to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The presiding judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, on Monday constrained the Zamfara State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of Zamfara State, and others from carrying out the impeachment of Deputy Governor Mahdi Gusau.

The judgement was delivered on an ex-parte motion brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the court.

Justice Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, also in the Monday’s judgement, restrained the Zamfara State House of Assembly from impeaching other House members who are still in the PDP after the defection of Governor Matawalle to APC.

Members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly had earlier in July ordered Deputy Governor Gusau to appear before the lawmakers on July 27 over a political rally he (Gusau) organised in the state. The move compelled the PDP to seek court injunction against the impeachment of the deputy governor.

Governor Bello Matawalle has defected from the PDP to the APC, while the deputy governor decided to remain in the PDP, with some members of the state House of Assembly.

PDP had sued Governor Matawalle in court to retrieve the party’s mandate the governor transferred to the APC on his defection.