JUST IN: Supreme Court Upholds Governor Fintiri’s Election, Dismisses Binani’s Petition

The Supreme Court has reaffirmed the election victory of Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Governor of Adamawa State. The apex court declared that Governor Fintiri’s election aligns with the legal provisions governing such matters.

The decision comes after the Supreme Court reserved judgment on the appeal filed by Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 29. Binani’s counsel, Akin Olujimi, argued in favor of her victory, emphasizing the lawfulness of the declaration made by the then-Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa-Ari.

Previously, the Court of Appeal in Abuja had affirmed Fintiri’s election in December 2023, dismissing Binani’s appeal and upholding the decision of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

Justice Tunde Oyebamiji Awotoye, the presiding judge, addressed Binani’s allegations of irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, including issues such as non-accreditation, improper accreditation, overvoting, violence, and the snatching of election materials. Despite these claims, the court found in favor of Fintiri.

Binani’s argument rested on the existence of multiple declarations of winners, asserting that she was initially declared the winner by the REC, Yunusa-Ari. However, the Supreme Court maintained the validity of Fintiri’s election, citing the results of the supplementary election where he secured 9,337 votes, defeating Binani who garnered 6,513 votes.

This ruling reinforces Fintiri’s position as the duly elected governor of Adamawa State, bringing a conclusion to a legal battle that spanned multiple levels of the judiciary.