The Court of Appeal in Abuja has solidified Ahmadu Fintiri’s position as the Governor of Adamawa State, dismissing the appeal of Aishatu Binani from the All Progressives Congress (APC) for lacking merit.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Tunde Awotoye and presented by Justice Ebiowei Tobi on Monday, the Appellate Court not only affirmed Fintiri’s victory but also imposed a cost of N500,000 in favour of Fintiri and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against Binani.
The Court expressed disapproval of the premature announcement of the election results by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Hudu Ari. It emphasized that Binani’s appeal was fraught with legal deficiencies and underscored the illegality of the REC’s premature declaration.
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Highlighting that only the Returning Officer holds the authority to announce election results, the Court strongly condemned the REC’s actions as a deviation from legal protocols.
This verdict aligns with the Tribunal’s decision on October 28, which rejected Binani’s petition, citing a failure to substantiate allegations of over-voting due to a lack of supporting documentation.
Governor Fintiri welcomed his legal team for a congratulatory visit, reinforcing his mandate with the slogan “Fresh Air Continues!”
