Appeal Court throws out petition against Fintiri on Adamawa governorship election

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, Tuesday, has dismissed the appeal by the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Umar Ardo, against the election victory of Adamawa state Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party.

Displeased with the election outcome, Ardo approached the tribunal seeking nullification of Fintiri’s election because, according to him, there was non-compliance with the Electoral Act in the poll.

However, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice T. O. Uloho, dismissed the petition for being incompetent and not properly filed.

In his judgment on Tuesday, Justice Ugochukwu Ogaku of the Appeal Court agreed with the tribunal that the appellants did not prove the allegations of corrupt practices and non-compliance to the Electoral Act, against INEC.

He said there was no basis to grant the appeal.

“This appeal is bereft of merit. The decision of the Tribunal dismissing the Petition is hereby affirmed. The parties are to bear their costs,” the court held.