In a recent verdict, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld Ahmadu Fintiri’s position as the Governor of Adamawa State, dismissing the appeal filed by Aishatu Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for lacking merit. This decision affirms the earlier ruling by the Tribunal on October 28, which had rejected Binani’s petition for failing to substantiate her claims of over-voting.
Justice Tunde Awotoye, who prepared the judgment, emphasized that Binani’s appeal was marred by various issues, including the premature announcement of the election outcome by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Hudu Ari. The court deemed Ari’s action illegal, highlighting that only the Returning Officer has the authority to announce election results.
As a consequence of this ruling, the Court of Appeal awarded a cost of N500,000 in favor of Fintiri and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against Binani. The decision further underscored the importance of adhering to electoral processes and the prescribed legal procedures.
Fintiri’s victory in the governorship election, which took place on March 18, faced controversy due to the premature declaration of Binani as the winner by the REC. Section 25 of the Electoral Act, 2022 specifies that only the returning officer has the authority to announce and declare the winner of a governorship election at the state collation center.
Following the REC’s premature declaration, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suspended the collation of results for the supplementary election in Adamawa. INEC criticized the REC’s action, stating that it usurped the power of the Returning Officer and declared it null and void.
In light of the Court of Appeal’s recent affirmation, Fintiri’s mandate as the Governor of Adamawa State remains intact. The legal proceedings and subsequent decisions highlight the significance of adhering to electoral laws and procedures to ensure the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.