In a pivotal ruling today, the Court of Appeal in Abuja solidified Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s victory in Adamawa State’s gubernatorial election.
The three-member panel of justices unanimously affirmed Governor Fintiri’s re-election while dismissing an appeal lodged by Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and imposed a fine of N1 million against Senator Binani.
The appellate court emphasized the appeal’s lack of specificity, ultimately finding no grounds to overturn the earlier decision of the Adamawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. The Tribunal had upheld Governor Fintiri’s victory under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Fintiri’s triumph stemmed from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration after a supplementary election in Adamawa State.
INEC, announced at the end of a supplementary election held in Adamawa State that Fintiri polled 430,861 votes to defeat Binani of the APC, who got a total of 398,788 votes.
Senator Binani, dissatisfied with the election’s outcome, sought recourse through the tribunal, alleging widespread corrupt practices and Electoral Act violations. Despite this, the Court of Appeal’s latest ruling has solidified Governor Fintiri’s mandate, marking a significant legal endorsement of his re-election victory.