Tribunal affirms Fintiri’s election as Adamawa governor, dismisses SDP petition

The Adamawa governorship election petition tribunal in Yola has affirmed Ahmadu Fintiri as governor of the state.

 Umar Ardo, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and his party had challenged Fintiri’s victory before the tribunal, alleging corrupt practices, threats and violence during the election.

They asked the tribunal to nullify the entire exercise.

However, dismissing the petition in a judgment delivered on Monday, Theodora Uloho, chairman of the three-member tribunal, said the petition was lacking in merit, defective and incompetent.

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

Reacting to the tribunal’s judgment, Kaletapwa George-Farauta, Adamawa deputy governor, described it as a victory for democracy.

She urged the petitioners to join hands with Fintiri’s administration to build a new Adamawa.

Meanwhile, Sylvester Emmanuel, counsel to Ardo, said his client would file an appeal to upturn the verdict.

The tribunal is yet to decide on the petition filed by Aisha Binani, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the election.