General News
Supreme Court Upholds Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s Victory in Adamawa State
By Iyojo Ameh
In a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro, the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirmed Governor Ahmadu Fintiri as the duly elected governor of Adamawa State.
The apex court dismissed the application of Senator Aisha Dahiru Banani and her party, the All Progressive Congress Party (APC), challenging the outcome of the governorship election held on March 18, 2023.
Senator Binani, represented by Chief Akinolu Olujimi, SAN, argued for the court to set aside the concurrent verdicts of the lower courts that upheld Fintiri’s re-election.
She contested the legitimacy of the Resident Electoral Commissioner’s declaration and urged the court to determine the bona fide Returning Officer in the gubernatorial election.
Governor Fintiri, defended by Mr. Damian Dodo, SAN, urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal, asserting that he secured the majority of lawful votes and met all legal requirements.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Inyang Okoro emphasized that only a Returning Officer has the authority to announce election results, condemning the actions of the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa-Ari. The court deemed Yunusa-Ari’s declaration of Senator Dahiru as the winner as irresponsible and criminal.
The Supreme Court underscored that the Electoral Act, 2022, specifies the authority responsible for declaring results, exclusively granting such power to the Returning Officer.
Consequently, the court resolved all raised issues against the appellants, affirming Governor Fintiri’s victory.
