The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has affirmed the election of Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the duly elected governor of Adamawa State.
The court, therefore, dismissed the case brought by his closest challenger, Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the judgment prepared by Justice Tunde Awotoye and read by Justice Ebiowei Tobi on Monday, the Appellate Court also awarded the cost of N500,000 in favour of Fintiri and the PDP against Binani.
The Appellate Court frowned at the premature announcement of the election outcome by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Hudu Ari, adding that Binani’s appeal was plagued by several demons.
Following the March 2023 polls, Binani, claiming widespread irregularities and non-compliance with the electoral act, petitioned the Adamawa State Governorship Electoral Petitions Tribunal to nullify Fintiri’s victory. However, the Tribunal in October upheld Fintiri’s election, prompting Binani to appeal to the Court of Appeal.
The Appellate Court expressed disapproval at the REC Hudu Ari’s hasty declaration of the election results and noted that Binani’s appeal was beset by multiple issues.