Omarana respects court ruling, reaffirms commitment to rule of law as campaign intensifies

From Billy Graham Abel, Yola

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, Amb. Engr. Omar Suleiman, has reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law after the Chief Magistrate Court II sitting in Yola imposed a ₦3 million administrative fine over the placement of campaign posters on public infrastructure.

The ruling, delivered by Chief Magistrate Musa Alhaji Adamu, followed a suit instituted by the Adamawa State Ministry of Environment, the Adamawa State Urban Planning Board and the Office of the Attorney-General, alleging that campaign posters belonging to the ADC candidate were pasted on public structures, including flyovers, contrary to the state’s executive order regulating the use of public infrastructure for political campaigns.

The court directed Amb. Omar Suleiman to pay an administrative penalty of ₦3 million to the Adamawa State Government and cautioned him and his supporters against further indiscriminate placement of campaign posters on public facilities.

Reacting after the judgment, counsel to the ADC governorship candidate, Bala Sanga, Esq., clarified that the proceedings did not amount to a criminal trial or criminal conviction.

According to him, the matter was purely administrative, arising from an executive order, stressing that no criminal charge was read, no plea was taken and no formal arraignment took place.

“This was an administrative issue, not a criminal prosecution. There was no criminal conviction against Ambassador Omar Suleiman, and nothing in the judgment affects his eligibility or prospects in the 2027 governorship election,” Sanga stated.

He explained that had the matter proceeded as a criminal trial, the defence would have fully challenged the allegations before the court.

Also reacting, a representative of the Omarana Campaign Organisation, Prof. Jeffrey Barminas, said the campaign respected the court’s decision and would comply fully with every aspect of the ruling.

Barminas disclosed that even before the judgment, the campaign had directed its supporters through various communication platforms to stop placing campaign posters on prohibited public structures in line with the state’s environmental regulations.

He added that the organisation would immediately commence the removal of campaign posters from affected locations to ensure full compliance with the court’s directives.

“We are law-abiding citizens and we respect the decision of the court. We have already sensitised our supporters against violating environmental regulations, and following today’s judgment, we will ensure that all affected campaign materials are removed,” he said.

While declining to accuse the government of selective enforcement despite similar campaign posters by other political actors reportedly appearing on public infrastructure, Barminas urged the public to draw its own conclusions, noting that the campaign was determined not to make comments capable of inflaming the political atmosphere.

He also appealed to supporters of the ADC candidate to remain peaceful, orderly and law-abiding throughout the campaign.

In a statement signed by the Director-General of the Omarana Campaign Organisation, Elder Mark Wosi, the organisation welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as an affirmation of the judiciary’s independence and the rule of law.

The statement commended the legal team for its representation and appreciated members of the media, civil society organisations, security agencies and supporters for maintaining peace throughout the proceedings.

The campaign further urged supporters to avoid inflammatory comments, provocation or actions capable of disrupting public peace, insisting that the movement remains committed to democratic principles and lawful political engagement.

According to the statement, the campaign will continue to focus on its vision of building “Adamawa That Works, For Today, For Tomorrow,” through purposeful leadership, accountability and people-centred governance.

The organisation reaffirmed that Amb. Engr. Omar Suleiman’s governorship aspiration remains firmly on course and pledged to continue pursuing its political objectives peacefully and in full compliance with the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.