SDP loses as appeal court affirms Fintiri as Adamawa governor

The court of appeal in Abuja has dismissed the petition filed by Umar Ardo, governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), against the election of Ahmadu Fintiri as Adamawa governor.

Ardo and his party filed a petition at the state governorship election tribunal after Fintiri, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was declared winner of the poll.

The petitioner had sought the nullification of Fintiri’s election on the grounds that there was substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act, corrupt practices, threats and violence during the voting exercise.

However, the tribunal led by Theodora Uloho, dismissed the petition for being incompetent and not properly filed.

“The petition is incongruous and not properly instituted before the tribunal. The petitioners are not certain about what they want,’’ she said.

Ardo had appealed the tribunal’s judgment.

In its ruling on Tuesday, Ugochukwu Ogaku, a judge, said the appeal court agreed with the conclusions of the tribunal.

The appellate court held 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 court held.