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By Billy Graham Abel Yola
The Adamawa Governorship Elections Tribunal has dismissed the case filed by Aisha Binani Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the re-election of Governor Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of the state.
The tribunal dismissing Binani’s petition stated that she failed to demonstrate meaningful compliance with electoral regulations and did not provide witnesses to prove her case.
The lead judge, Justice Theodora Uloho, alongside Justice Mustapha Ramat and Justice Umar Abdulnasir while delivering the judgment held that the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari’s declaration is null and void.
The justices also declared that the Adamawa State governor fulfilled all the requirements of the law to be returned and the petitioners failed to prove otherwise.
“Failure of the Petitioners to lead and prove evidence on Section 179 of the Electoral Act is fatal and in the absence of any other evidence to that effect, the petition fails and it is hereby accordingly dismissed, the declaration and return of the governor is hereby affirmed,” the tribunal ruled.
Reacting to the judgment, Governor Fintiri said: “This indeed is another memorable day in the annals of Adamawa State as we celebrate yet another victory in the re-affirmation of a mandate freely given by the majority of the voters of Adamawa State in March 2023.
“The Adamawa State Governorship Election Tribunal has once again passed its verdict on the petition brought before it by the last category of petitioners. It is a verdict in favour of popular will; it is a verdict that reaffirms that truth is sacred and justice is proportionately served to all parties.
“Today, we are all witnesses to the triumph of reality over fiction; truth over falsehood and honesty over deceit. This is worthy of celebration and a tale we shall be proud to pass unto our forbearers in Adamawa State. The journey might be short, but the story is fully loaded.
“That we provided an enabling environment for democratic contest; we offered ourselves for free and fair election; ran an issue-based campaign devoid of rancour; protected our votes and won squarely, despite the attempts to deny us victory by the machination of desperate politicians and had the civility to walk to the tribunal and defend our mandate against capture.”
Fintiri used the occasion to call on all his challengers to join him in building Adamawa.
He said: “I call on all the litigants and everyone that has Adamawa at heart to set aside whatever misgivings and move on.
“The state is greater than each of us. The task ahead is enormous, requiring unity of purpose, a pooling of resources, integration of talents and leveraging the unique attributes of each of us, to reinvent a better society for our people.”
