2019 Zamfara State gubernatorial election

{{short description|2019 gubernatorial election in Zamfara State, Nigeria}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2019 Zamfara State gubernatorial election

| country = Nigeria

| flag_image = {{flagicon|NGA}}

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| previous_election = 2015 Zamfara State gubernatorial election

| previous_year = 2015

| next_election = 2023 Zamfara State gubernatorial election

| next_year = 2023

| election_date = 9 March 2019

| turnout = 47.22%

| image_size =

| image1 =

| nominee1 = Bello Matawalle (Declared winner)

| running_mate1 = Mahdi Mohammed Gusau

| party1 = People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)

| popular_vote1 = 189,452

| percentage1 = 23.89%

| image2 =

| nominee2 = Mukhtar Shehu Idris (Disqualified)

| running_mate2 =

| party2 = All Progressives Congress

| popular_vote2 = 534,541 (Declared Wasted Votes)

| percentage2 = 67.41%

| map_image =

| map_size =

| map_caption =

| title = Governor

| before_election = Abdul'aziz Abubakar Yari

| before_party = All Progressives Congress

| after_election = Bello Matawalle

| after_party = All Progressives Congress

}}

The 2019 Zamfara State gubernatorial election occurred on 9 March 2019.{{Cite news |url=https://www.naijanews.com/2019/03/09/live-updates-of-zamfara-state-governorship-election-results/ |title=ELECTIONLive Updates Of Zamfara State Governorship Election Results |date=9 March 2019 |last=Adeniyi |first=Enioluwa |publisher=Naija News |access-date=21 April 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.garda.com/fr/crisis24/alertes-de-securite/210621/nigeria-gubernatorial-elections-march-9-update-5 |title=Nigeria: Gubernatorial elections March 9 /update 5 |date=7 March 2019 |publisher=GardaWorld |access-date=21 April 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.icirnigeria.org/result-sheets-for-zamfara-guber-election-intact-inec-clarifies/ |title=Result sheets for Zamfara guber election intact, INEC clarifies |last=Obiejesi |first=Kingsley |date=4 March 2019 |publisher=ICIR |access-date=22 April 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://leadership.ng/ballot-and-court-in-election-matters/ |title=Ballot And Court In Election Matters |date=21 April 2021 |publisher=Leadership.ng |access-date=22 April 2011}} APC's Mukhtar Shehu Idris polled 67.41% of the total popular votes, defeating PDP's Bello Matawalle who got 23.89% of the total votes and trailed behind by a margin of 345,089 votes, and several minor party candidates. APC swept the entire 14 LGAs of the state, winning in all.{{Cite news |url=https://www.blueprint.ng/zamfara-apc-intra-party-crisis-and-supreme-court-review-by-musa-gusau/ |title=Zamfara: APC intra-party crisis and Supreme Court review by Musa Gusau |date=14 March 2020 |publisher=Blueprint |access-date=21 April 2021}} It was, however, Matawalle, who was later declared winner by the INEC and sworn in as governor after the verdict of the Supreme Court,{{Cite news |url=https://dnllegalandstyle.com/2020/zamfara-governorship-election-supreme-court-dismisses-application-awards-n280m-against-apc/ |title=Zamfara Governorship Election: Supreme Court Dismisses Application, Awards N280m Against APC |last=Ifeoma |first=Peters |date=27 March 2020 |publisher=DNL Legal Style |access-date=21 April 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://naijanotes.net/zamfara-election-results-pdp-wins-all-says-supreme-court/ |title=Zamfara Election Results: PDP is the authentic winner, says Supreme Court |date=24 May 2019 |publisher=NaijaNotes |access-date=21 April 2021 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420175623/https://naijanotes.net/zamfara-election-results-pdp-wins-all-says-supreme-court/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-48396961 |title=Zamfara: Supreme Court rule say APC no get legit votes for 2019 elections inside Zamfara state |date=24 May 2019 |publisher=BBC News |language=pcm |access-date=22 April 2021}} which declared Idris' votes as 'wasted'.{{Cite web |url=https://m.guardian.ng/politics/internal-crisis-threatens-apcs-victory-in-zamfara/amp/ |title=Internal crisis threatens APC's victory in Zamfara |last=Olumide |first=Seye |date=15 April 2019 |work=The Guardian |access-date=21 April 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/05/27/zamfara-how-apc-shot-itself-in-the-foot/ |title=Zamfara: How APC shot itself in the foot |last=Adesina |first=Michael |date=27 May 2019 |publisher=PM News Nigeria |access-date=20 April 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://thewhistler.ng/how-apc-lost-zamfara-state/ |title=How APC Lost Zamfara State |last=Anyebe |first=Richard |date=27 May 2019 |publisher=The Whistler |access-date=20 April 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/nigeria-ruling-apc-loses-key-state-to-faulty-primaries/1488334 |title=Nigeria: Ruling APC loses key state to faulty primaries |last=Ajakaye |first=Oriyomi |date=24 May 2019 |publisher=AA |access-date=20 April 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/05/zamfara-after-two-emergency-meetings-inec-bows-to-supreme-court-declares-pdp-winner/ |title=How PDP candidate won Zamfara Governorship Polls |date=26 May 2019 |publisher=Vanguard |access-date=21 April 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/05/26/inec-declares-pdp-candidates-winners-in-zamfara-elections/ |title=INEC Declares PDP Candidates Winners in Zamfara Elections |date=26 May 2019 |author1=Ezigbo, Onyebuchi |author2=Akinwale, Adedayo |location=Abuja |publisher=This Day Live |access-date=21 April 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/Politics/INEC-Aligns-With-Supreme-Court-Order--Declares-PDP-Winner-of-2019-Zamfara-Elections/45463 |title=INEC Aligns With Supreme Court Order, Declares PDP Winner of 2019 Zamfara Elections |date=May 25, 2019 |publisher=Proshare |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/25/zamfara-inec-reveals-pdp-candidates-will-get-certificates-reveals-apc-lost-video/ |title=Zamfara: INEC reveals when PDP candidates will get certificates, reveals how APC lost [VIDEO] |date=May 25, 2019 |last=Odunsi |first=Wale |publisher=Daily Post |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://tell.ng/loss-of-zamfara-to-pdp-i-have-no-regrets-for-my-actions-senator-marafa/ |title=Loss of Zamfara to PDP: I have no regrets for my Actions – Senator Marafa |last=Ero |first=Adekunbi |date=February 9, 2021 |publisher=Tell |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://globalsentinelng.com/2019/05/25/inec-declares-zamfara-pdp-candidate-governor-elect-see-full-list/ |title=INEC Declares Zamfara PDP Candidate Governor-Elect (See Full List) |date=May 25, 2019 |publisher=Global Sentinel |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/legal-consequences-of-planned-defection-of-zamfara-state-governor-from-pdp-to-apc/ |title=Legal consequences of planned defection of Zamfara State governor from PDP to APC |date=April 6, 2021 |publisher=The Nation |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-48410172.amp |title=INEC don declare say na PDP Candidates win 2019 General Election for Zamfara State |last=Abu |first=Dooshima

|language=pcm |location=Abuja |date=May 25, 2019 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2019/05/25/breaking-inec-declares-pdps-mattawalle-winner-of-zamfara-gov-election/ |title=INEC Declares PDP's Mattawalle Winner Of Zamfara Gov Election |publisher=Channels TV |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nta.ng/uncategorized/20190525-zamfara-inec-declares-pdp-winner-of-gov-senatorial-house-of-reps-elections/ |title=Zamfara: INEC Declares PDP Winner of Gov., Senatorial, House of Reps Elections |last=Idris |first=Suleiman |date=May 25, 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2021}}

Idris was announced winner at the gubernatorial primary, to avoid reaching INEC's deadline after a parallel election was organised by the out-going governor.

Bello Matawalle emerged winner in the PDP gubernatorial primary election. His running mate was Mahdi Mohammed Gusau.{{Cite web|url=https://rainbownigeria.com/2020/10/08/state-governors-and-their-deputies-2/?_gl=1*1ks7sm*_ga*a3BDcWhmU3phVndTOUdnVVRxci10eVBOdC1uTmtXemRFN3Q3OHkxYk9WWHc4MnAtVDdnWEVyVXFERjFtVGV4cw..|title=State Governors and Their Deputies|author=Emmanuel, Odang|website=Rainbow Nigeria|date=8 October 2020|access-date=31 May 2021|archive-date=June 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213338/https://rainbownigeria.com/2020/10/08/state-governors-and-their-deputies-2/?_gl=1*1ks7sm*_ga*a3BDcWhmU3phVndTOUdnVVRxci10eVBOdC1uTmtXemRFN3Q3OHkxYk9WWHc4MnAtVDdnWEVyVXFERjFtVGV4cw..|url-status=dead}}

Of the 42 candidates who aspired for the governorship seat, 40 were male, two were female.

Electoral system

The Governor of Zamfara State is elected using the plurality voting system.

Primary election

=PDP primary=

The PDP primary election was held from Sunday, September 30, until the early morning hours of Monday, October 1, 2018. About 1,500 accredited delegates were present from the - LGAs of the state. Bello Matawalle emerged winner with 1,426 (98.25%) delegate votes after his only opponent, Sahabi Ya'u, was 'made to step down' for him.{{Cite news |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/pdp-governorship-candidate-calls-for-peaceful-election-in-zamfara/ |title=PDP governorship candidate calls for peaceful election in Zamfara |date=October 3, 2018 |publisher=Vanguard |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/282983-zamfara-pdp-gets-governorship-candidate.html |title=Zamfara PDP gets governorship candidate |date=September 9, 2018 |publisher=Premium Times |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://dailytrust.com/zamfara-ex-federal-lawmaker-mutawalle-declared-winner-of-pdp-guber-primaries |title=Zamfara: Ex-Federal Lawmaker Mutawalle Declared Winner Of PDP Guber Primaries |last=Alade |first=Abiodun |date=October 1, 2018 |publisher=Daily Trust |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2018/10/03/pdp-governorship-candidate-calls-for-credible-election-in-zamfara/ |title=PDP governorship candidate calls for credible election in Zamfara |publisher=The News |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://newnigeriannewspaper.com/2018/10/01/zamfara-pdp-primary-former-reps-member-wins-with-1426-votes/ |title=Zamfara PDP Primary: Former Reps Member Wins With 1,426 Votes |publisher=NewNigerianNewsPapers |date=October 1, 2018 |access-date=April 21, 2021}}

=Candidates=

Party nominee: Bello Mohammed Matawalle: Winner.
Running mate: Mahdi Bello Gusau.{{Cite news |url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/Politics/INEC-Aligns-With-Supreme-Court-Order,-De/45463 |title=INEC Aligns With Supreme Court Order, Declares PDP Winner of 2019 Zamfara Elections |date=May 25, 2019 |publisher=Proshare NG |access-date=April 17, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://inecnews.com/inec-complies-with-supreme-court-judgment-announces-winners-of-zamfara-elections/ |title=INEC Complies With Supreme Court Judgment, Announces Winners Of Zamfara Elections |last=Oyekanmi |first=Rotimi |date=May 26, 2019 |publisher=INEC News |access-date=April 20, 2021}}
Sahabi Ya'u (Stepped down)

=APC primary=

The APC primary elections in Zamfara State could not be held before the deadline set by the INEC, leading the disqualification of all APC candidates.{{Cite news |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/apc-inec-at-war-over-primaries-in-zamfara/ |title=APC, INEC at war over primaries in Zamfara |date=October 11, 2018 |last=Aziken |first=Emmanuel |publisher=Vanguard |access-date=April 17, 2021}} The election was earlier scheduled for Sunday, September 30, but postponed to Monday, October 1, 2018.{{Cite news |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/09/apc-shifts-zamfara-governorship-primary-election-to-monday/amp/ |title=APC shifts Zamfara governorship primary election to Monday |date=September 30, 2018 |publisher=Vanguard |access-date=April 17, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/287389-apc-postpones-zamfara-governorship-primary.html |title=APC postpones Zamfara governorship primary |date=September 30, 2018 |publisher=Premium Times |access-date=April 17, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.radionigeria.gov.ng/2018/10/02/25914/ |title=Zamfara APC primaries postponed |date=October 2, 2018 |publisher=Radio Nigeria |access-date=April 20, 2021}} The rescheduled election was finally held on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, but then cancelled by the party's National Working Committee (NWC) due to the violence that marred the process.{{Cite news |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/288268-apc-cancels-zamfara-governorship-primaries.html |title=APC cancels Zamfara governorship primaries |last=Ugbede |first=Lois |date=October 4, 2018 |publisher=Premium Times |access-date=April 17, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://medium.com/@barometerng/apc-nwc-cancels-zamfara-governorship-primaries-d1c4daa53aa0 |title=APC NWC Cancels Zamfara Governorship Primaries |publisher=Barometer NG |date=October 4, 2018 |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://yellowdanfo.com.ng/2018/10/04/zamfara-apc/ |title=Zamfara APC: NWC cancels Governorship primaries |date=October 4, 2018 |publisher=Yellow Danfo |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/nwc-apc-cancels-governorship-primaries-in-zamfara/ |title=NWC: APC Cancels Governorship Primaries in Zamfara |date=October 4, 2018 |publisher=Biz Watch Nigeria |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/10/06/apc-primary-zamfara-governor-fights-dirty-calls-oshiomhole-a-dictator/ |title=APC Primary: Zamfara governor fights dirty, calls Oshiomhole a dictator |last=Babalola |first=Lanre |date=October 6, 2018 |publisher=PM NEWS Nigeria |access-date=April 21, 2021}} The party, however, announced Mukhtar Shehu Idris as winner of the parallel election organized by the incumbent governor, Abdul'aziz Abubakar Yari, on Sunday, October 7, 2018, in which Idris was said to have polled 310,380 votes, closely followed by Senator Kabiru Marafa with 54,607 votes. Other were Alh. Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi with 5,514 votes, Alh. Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammad 517 votes, Alh. Sagir Hamidu Gusau 102 votes, Alh. Aminu Sani Jaji 12,039 votes, Alh. Abu Magaji 340 votes, Alh. Dauda Lawal Dare 5,396 votes and Brig. Gen. Mansur Dan Ali (rtd.) with 292 votes, as announced by the state party chairman, Alh. Lawali M. Liman.{{Cite news |url=https://dailytrust.com/zamfara-apc-declares-idris-yari-winners-of-governorship-senatorial-primaries |title=Zamfara APC Declares Idris, Yari Winners Of Governorship, Senatorial Primaries |last=Kehinde |first=Opeyeni |date=October 8, 2018 |publisher=Daily Trust |access-date=April 17, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/in-zamfara-gov-yari-claims-apc-primaries-conclusive/e3sl3kc |title=Gov. Yari claims APC primaries conclusive |date=October 8, 2018 |last=Ebuzor |first=Chika |publisher=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=April 20, 2021}} This was to meet the Sunday, October 7, 2018, INEC deadline for all political parties to conclude their primary elections.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thecable.ng/zamfara-apc-crisis-yari-organises-parallel-primary-as-nwc-panel-fails-to-meet-inec-deadline/amp |title=Zamfara APC crisis: Yari organises parallel primary as NWC panel fails to meet INEC deadline |date=October 8, 2018 |publisher=TheCable |access-date=April 17, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/zamfara-apc-crisis-yari-organises-parallel-primary/ |title=Zamfara APC crisis: Gov. Yari organises parallel primary |date=October 9, 2018 |publisher=Sun News Online |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.icirnigeria.org/apc-loses-zamfara-state-even-before-2019-general-election/ |title=APC loses Zamfara State even before 2019 general elections |last=Obiejesi |first=Kingsley |date=October 10, 2018 |publisher=ICIR |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://verbatimnigeria.org/2019/06/04/apc-expels-former-zamfara-governor-abdulaziz-yari/ |title=APC expels former Zamfara governor, Abdulaziz Yari |date=June 4, 2019 |publisher=Verbatim Nigeria |access-date=April 20, 2021}} Nevertheless, even with this result, the INEC insisted the party had no candidate in the state,{{Cite news |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/03/31/zamfara-apcs-self-inflicted-quandary/ |title=Zamfara APC's Self-inflicted Quandary |date=March 31, 2019 |publisher=This Day Live |access-date=April 17, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://businessday.ng/ng-election/article/election-again-inec-rejects-zamfara-apc-candidates/ |title=Election: Again INEC rejects Zamfara APC candidates |last=Kwen |first=James |date=January 30, 2019 |location=Abuja |publisher=Business Day |access-date=April 20, 2020}}{{Cite news |url=https://dailypost.ng/2018/10/09/zamfara-yari-apc-war-primaries/ |title=Zamfara: Yari, APC at war over primaries |date=October 9, 2018 |last=Odunsi |first=Wale |publisher=Daily Post |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/331490-analysis-the-36-apc-losers-from-supreme-courts-ruling-on-zamfara-elections.html |title=ANALYSIS: The 36 APC losers from Supreme Court's ruling on Zamfara elections |last=Kabir |first=Adejumo |date=May 24, 2019 |publisher=Premium Times |access-date=April 21, 2021}} and barred the party from fielding candidates in the upcoming election in the state.{{Cite news |url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/in-zamfara-inec-bans-apc-from-contesting-2019-elections-after-failing-to-conduct/teglv35 |title=INEC bans APC from contesting 2019 elections after failing to conduct primary elections |date=October 10, 2018 |last=Toromade |first=Samson |publisher=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.naijanews.com/2018/10/10/inec-disqualifies-apc-from-contesting-zamfara-governorship-election/ |title=INEC Disqualifies APC From Contesting Zamfara Governorship Election |date=October 10, 2018 |last=Abiola |first=Oladipo |publisher=Naija News |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=http://telegraph.ng/politics/inec-blocks-apc-fielding-candidates-zamfara-2019-e/ |title=EXCLUSIVE INEC blocks APC from fielding candidates in Zamfara for 2019 elections |last=Emeka |first=Odirichukwu |date=October 10, 2018 |publisher=The Telegraph |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=http://saharareporters.com/2018/10/12/apc-can%E2%80%99t-field-candidates-zamfara-inec-insists |title=APC Can't Field Candidates For Zamfara, INEC Insists |author1=Ezigbo, Onyebuchi |author2=Akineale, Adedayo |publisher=This Day Newspaper |date=October 12, 2018 |website=Sahara Reporters |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2018/10/05/zamfara-apc-excos-barred-from-governorship-legislative-primaries/ |title=Zamfara APC excos barred from governorship, legislative primaries |publisher=The News |access-date=April 20, 2021}} The party thereafter sought using judicial alternative to legalize its candidate at a law court, after which INEC agreed for the party to field candidates for the elections.{{Cite news |url=https://punchng.com/zamfara-apc-to-contest-inecs-ban/ |title=Zamfara APC to contest INEC's ban |date=October 10, 2018 |publisher=Punch |access-date=April 18, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.legit.ng/1221866-joy-apc-submits-zamfara-candidates-list-inec.html |title=Finally, APC submits names of candidates to INEC after Court of Appeal verdict on Zamfara primaries |last=Abiola |first=Rahaman |date=February 14, 2019 |publisher=Legit.ng |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.blueprint.ng/zamfara-apc-crisismatters-arising/ |title=Zamfara APC crisis:Matters arising |date=February 9, 2019 |publisher=Blueprint |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.legit.ng/1221689-breaking-appeal-court-upholds-apc-primaries-zamfara.html |title=Breaking: APC wins as Court of Appeal upholds Zamfara primaries |last=Opeyemi |first=Adeola |date=February 13, 2019 |publisher=Legit.ng |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/confusion-two-courts-deliver-conflicting-judgments-zamfara-apc-primaries/ |title=Confusion as two courts deliver conflicting judgments on Zamfara APC primaries |date=January 26, 2019 |publisher=The Nation |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=http://saharareporters.com/2019/02/22/breaking-inec-allows-apc-present-candidates-zamfara-governorship-election |title=BREAKING: INEC Allows APC To Present Candidates For Zamfara Governorship Election |date=February 22, 2021 |publisher=Sahara Reporters |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thecable.ng/inec-omits-apc-from-zamfara-result-sheets/amp |title=INEC omits APC from Zamfara result sheets |date=March 9, 2019 |publisher=TheCable |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://tvcnews.tv/breaking-court-of-appeal-clears-zamfara-apc-to-contest-2019-elections/ |title=BREAKING: Court of Appeal clears Zamfara APC to contest 2019 elections |date=February 21, 2019 |publisher=TVC News |access-date=April 22, 2021}}

=Candidates=

Party nominee: Mukhtar Shehu Idris.
Running mate: .
Kabiru Marafa: 54,607 votes.
Aminu Sani Jaji: 12,039 votes.
Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi: 5,514 votes.
Dauda Lawal Dare: 5,396 votes.
Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammad:{{Cite news |url=https://m.guardian.ng/news/zamfara-deputy-governor-fumes-as-apc-announces-governorship-candidate/ |title=Zamfara deputy governor fumes as APC announces governorship candidate |publisher=News Agency of Nigeria |date=September 10, 2018 |website=The Guardian |access-date=April 22, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/party-politics-zamfara-deputy-governor-fumes-as-apc-announces-governorship-candidate/ekxbqq3.amp |title=Zamfara Deputy Governor fumes as APC announces governorship candidate |date=October 9, 2018 |last=Bassey |first=Ben |publisher=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=April 22, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.naijanews.com/2018/09/10/zamfara-deputy-gov-rejects-muktar-idris-as-apc-consensus-governorship-candidate/ |title=Zamfara Deputy Gov Rejects Muktar Idris As APC Consensus Governorship Candidate |date= September 10, 2018 |last=Sijuade |first=Gbenga |publisher=Naija News |access-date=April 22, 2021}} 517 votes.
Abu Magaji: 340 votes.
Mansur Dan Ali: 292 votes.
Sagir Hamidu Gusau: 102 votes.

Results

A total of 42 candidates registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission to contest in the election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.blueprint.ng/elections-no-primaries-no-candidates-inec-warns-presents-certificate-of-return-to-zamfara-new-gov-elect-others/ |title=Elections: No primaries, no candidates, INEC warns… presents certificate of return to Zamfara new gov-elect, others |date=May 28, 2019 |publisher=Blueprint |access-date=April 20, 2021}} APC candidate, Idris Shehu, won election by polling 534,541 votes, defeating APC's Bello Matawalle who came second with 189,452 votes.{{Cite web |url=https://nigeriaelections.stearsng.com/state/ZM/governor/2019 |title=2019 General Elections {{!}} Governorship Election Results |website=Stears |access-date=April 17, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://dailypost.ng/2019/03/11/zamfara-inec-declares-winner-governorship-election/ |title=NEWSZamfara: INEC declares winner of governorship election |date=March 11, 2019 |last=Nseyen |first=Nsikak |publisher=Daily Post |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/03/11/inec-declares-apcs-shehu-winner-of-zamfara-governorship-election/ |title=INEC declares APC's Shehu winner of Zamfara governorship election |last=Ugbodaga |first=Kazeem |date=March 11, 2019 |publisher=PM NEWS |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.legit.ng/amp/1226397-elections-2019-apc-omitted-inec-results-sheet-zamfara.html |title=Elections 2019: APC omitted from INEC results sheet in Zamfara |last=Lawal |first=Nurudeen |date=March 9, 2019 |publisher=Legit.ng |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://mobile.mynigeria.com/NigeriaHomePage/television/videos.php?ID=84054&page=9 |title=Breaking: APC's Mukhtar Shehu emerges winner of Zamfara governorship election |date=March 11, 2019 |publisher=MyNigeria |access-date=April 21, 2021 |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421210908/https://mobile.mynigeria.com/NigeriaHomePage/television/videos.php?ID=84054&page=9 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |url=https://plustvafrica.com/inec-declares-winner-of-zamfaras-governorship-election/ |title=INEC declares winner of Zamfara's governorship election |author=O., Fadekemi |publisher=Plus TV Africa |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/apcs-mukhtar-idris-wins-zamfara-governorship-election/ |title=APC's Mukhtar Idris wins Zamfara governorship election |date=March 11, 2021 |publisher=Ripples Nigeria |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://nnn.ng/apc-wins-zamfara-governorship-election-with-534541-votes/ |title=APC wins Zamfara Governorship election with 534,541 votes |date=April 14, 2019 |last=Ahmed |first=Ibrahim |publisher=NNN |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.concise.ng/apcs-shehu-wins-zamfara-governorship-election/ |title=APC's Shehu Wins Zamfara Governorship Election |last=Ige |first=Olugbenga |date=March 11, 2021 |publisher=Concise News |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://insidebusiness.ng/70236/apcs-muktar-idris-declared-winner-of-zamfara-gov-election/ |title=APC's Muktar Idris Declared Winner Of Zamfara Gov. Election |publisher=Inside Business |date=September 19, 2020 |access-date=April 22, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/just-in-apcs-idris-wins-zamfara-governorship-election-with-534541-votes/ |title=JUST IN: APC's Idris wins Zamfara governorship election with 534,541 votes |publisher=Tribune Online |date=March 11, 2019 |access-date=April 22, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2019/03/11/apc-wins-zamfara-governorship-election/ |title=APC wins Zamfara governorship election |date=March 11, 2019 |publisher=The News Nigeria |access-date=April 22, 2021}} However, internal party crisis threatened APC's chance to continue governing the state.{{Cite news |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201904150169.html |title=Nigeria: Internal Crisis Threatens APC's Victory in Zamfara |date=April 15, 2019 |publisher=The Guardian |location=Lagos |last=Olumide|first=Seye |website=All Africa |access-date=April 17, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-47709854 |title=Zamfara APC Primaries: INEC match break on top presentation of certificate of return to Govnor elect, odas |date=March 26, 2019 |publisher=BBC News |language=pcm |access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/zamfara-guber-tribunal-affirms-matawalles-election-fines-petitioner-n5m/yt3x8z8 |title=Zamfara Guber: Tribunal affirms Matawalle's election, fines petitioner N5M |date=April 11, 2019 |website=Pulse Nigeria |publisher=News Agency Of Nigeria |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/alleged-defection-to-apc-zamfara-gov-risks-contempt-of-court/ |title=Alleged defection to APC: Zamfara gov risks contempt of court |date=April 11, 2021 |last=Otitoju |first=Adekunle |publisher=Sun News Online |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.classic97.net/appeal-court-sacks-gov-elect-all-apc-candidates-zamfara-26-03-2019 |title=Appeal Court Sacks Gov-elect, All APC Candidates in Zamfara |date=March 26, 2019 |publisher=Classic 97.3 |access-date=April 22, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://businessday.ng/politics/article/apc-warns-pdp-to-mind-its-business-over-zamfara-governorship-case/ |title=APC warns PDP to mind its business over Zamfara governorship case |last=Kwen |first=James |date=March 18, 2020 |publisher=Business Day |access-date=April 22, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://radionigerianorthcentral.gov.ng/zamfara-governorship-election-supreme-court-dismisses-apcs-application/ |title=Zamfara Governorship Election: Supreme Court Dismisses APC's Application |date=March 27, 2020 |author=Binta |publisher=Radio Nigeria |access-date=April 22, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://aljazirahnews.com/court-nullifies-zamfara-apc-primaries-for-governorship-assembly-elections/ |title=Court Nullifies Zamfara APC Primaries For Governorship, Assembly Elections |date=March 25, 2019 |publisher=Aljazirah news |last=Ipaa |first=Jonathan |access-date=April 22, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.blueprint.ng/yari-marafas-apc-factions-expel-each-other-in-zamfara/ |title=Yari, Marafa's APC factions expel each other in Zamfara |date=June 3, 2019 |publisher=Blueprint |access-date=April 22, 2021}}

The total number of registered voters in the state was 1,717,128 while 823,294 voters were accredited. Total number of votes cast was 810,782, while total number of valid votes was 792,938. Total rejected votes were 17,844.{{Cite news |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/319486-its-official-apcs-muktar-idris-wins-zamfara-governorship-election.html |title=It's Official: APC's Muktar Idris wins Zamfara governorship election |last=Maishanu |first=Abubakar Ahmadu |date=March 11, 2019 |publisher=Premium Times |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://guardian.ng/news/apc-wins-zamfara-governorship-election-with-534541-votes/amp/ |title=APC wins Zamfara Governorship election with 534,541 votes |agency=News Agency of Nigeria |date=March 11, 2019 |work=The Guardian |access-date=April 21, 2021}}

{{Election results

|cand1=Mukhtar Shehu Idris|party1=All Progressives Congress (APC)|votes1=534541

|cand2=Bello Matawalle|party2=People's Democratic Party (PDP)|votes2=189452

|cand3=Bala Bello Maru|party3=Accord (A)|votes3=43691

|cand4=Saidu Mohammed Dansadau |party4=National Rescue Movement (NRM)|votes4=15177

|cand5=Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi|party5=All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)|votes5=3865

|cand6=Takori Mohammed Sani|party6=Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA)|votes6=807

|cand7=Sule Garba|party7=Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA)|votes7=695

|cand8=Bashir Yusuf Sani|party8=All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP)|votes8=577

|cand9=Iliyasu Sulaiman|party9=Democratic Alternative (DA)|votes9=546

|cand10=Haruna Aminu|party10=Advanced Congress of Democracts (ACD)|votes10=402

|cand11=Badamasi Bello|party11=African Democratic Congress (ADC)|votes11=344

|cand12=Umar Mande|party12=Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN)|votes12=292

|cand13=Aminu Mainasara|party13=Democratic People's Party (DPP)|votes13=263

|cand14=Zayyanu Salisu (Haske)|party14=All People's Party (APP)|votes14=191

|cand15=Bashiru Adamu Gusau |party15=People's Party of Nigeria (PPN)|votes15=168

|cand16=Shehu Mus Maigoroa|party16=Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN)|votes16=163

|cand17=Yusuf Mustapha|party17=All Blending Party (ABP) |votes17=135

|cand18=Sani Yusuf|party18=Green Party of Nigeria (GPN)|votes18=127

|cand19=Garba Ali|party19=Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP)|votes19=119

|cand20=Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed|party20=Social Democratic Party (SDP)|votes20=108

|cand21=Musa Yahaya|party21=Young Progressive Party (YPP)|votes21=103

|cand22=Bala Aliyu Gusau|party22=People's Redemption Party (PRP)|votes22=102

|cand23=Abulmajid Shehu|party23=Action Democratic Party (ADP)|votes23=100

|cand24=Kamilu Musa|party24=Alliance for Democracy (AD)|votes24=99

|cand25=Abala Debora|party25=Sustainable National Party (SNP)|votes25=88

|cand26=Muhammed Nura|party26=Coalition for Change (C4C) |votes26=87

|cand27=Kabiru Iliyasu A. Gusau|party27=Democratic People's Congress (DPC)|votes27=77

|cand28=Dadi Abdullahi O.|party28=People for Democratic Change (PDC)|votes28=70

|cand29=Lawali Ibrahim|party29=Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN)|votes29=63

|cand30=Mustapha Muhammed|party30=Re-build Nigeria Party (RBNP)|votes30=57

|cand31=Umar Sani|party31=Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NEPP)|votes31=48

|cand32=Aminu Ab Muazu|party32=United Progressive Party (UPP)|votes32=43

|cand33=Dahiru Aliyu Gusau|party33=Change Advocacy Party (CAP)|votes33=42

|cand34=Sani Umar|party34=Restoration Party of Nigeria (RP)|votes34=41

|cand35=Abba Sani A.|party35=Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) |votes35=41

|cand36=Sani Abdullahi|party36=Labour Party (LP)|votes36=38

|cand37=Mohammed Bala|party37=National Conscience Party (NCP)|votes37=38

|cand38=Kucheri Shehu Hussaini|party38=Hope Democratic Party (HDP)|votes38=36

|cand39=Hamisu Yahuza|party39=Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP)|votes39=34

|cand40=Kabiru Garbba|party40=Nigeria Community Movement Party (NCMP)|votes40=28

|cand41=Usman Hadiza Usman|party41=Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)|votes41=25

|cand42=Mansur Saleh Maigwanjo|party42=We The People Nigeria (WTPN)|votes42=15

|invalid=17844

|electorate=1717128

|source=INEC{{Cite news |url=https://www.inecnigeria.org/2019-governorship-election-results/ |title=2019 Governorship Elections Results |publisher=INEC |access-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410220834/https://www.inecnigeria.org/2019-governorship-election-results/ |url-status=dead }}

}}

=By local government area=

Here are the results of the election from the local government areas of the state for the two major parties. The total valid votes of 792,913 represents the 42 political parties that participated in the election. Green represents LGAs won by Matawalle. Blue represents LGAs won by Idris.{{Cite news |url=https://newnigeriannewspaper.com/2019/03/10/apc-leads-as-inec-releases-zamfara-governorship-election-results/ |title=APC Leads as INEC Releases Zamfara Governorship Election Results |publisher=NewNigerianNewsPapers |date=March 10, 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://freedomonline.com.ng/full-result-of-zamfara-governorship-election/ |title=Full result of Zamfara governorship election |publisher=Freedom Online |access-date=April 21, 2021}}

class="wikitable sortable" style=" font-size: 95%" ! rowspan="2"\| County (LGA) ! colspan="2" \|Bello Mutawalle PDP ! colspan="2" \| Mukhtar Shehu Idris APC (Reversed Accredited Votes) !Total Votes
# !% !# !% !#
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Anka \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 8,292 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 77% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 10,743 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Bakura \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 15,331 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 87% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 17,540 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Birnin Magaji \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 7,880 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 79% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 9,974 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Bukkuyum \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 12,010 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 74% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 16,216 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Bungudu \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 18,379 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 56% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 32,892 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Gummi \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 13,418 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 78% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 17,198 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Gusau \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 22,441 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 60% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 37,269 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Kaura Namoda \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 14,647 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 79% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 18,439 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Maradun \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 18,868 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 88% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 21,477 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Maru \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 9,830 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 39% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 25,325 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Shinkafi \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 5,707 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 60% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 9,577 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Talata Mafara \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 12,691 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 71% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 17,875 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Tsafe \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 16,764 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 38% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 34,747 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| Zurmi \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 13,194 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 68% \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| 19,431 \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \| \| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" \|
Totals ! ! ! ! !-

class="wikitable sortable" style=" font-size: 95%"

! rowspan="2"| County (LGA)

! colspan="2" |Bello Mutawalle

PDP

! colspan="2" | Mukhtar Shehu Idris

APC (Reversed Accredited Votes)

!Total Votes

bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" | Anka

| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" | 8,292

| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" | 77%

| bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" | 10,743