UPDATE: COURT OF APPEAL DISMISSES SDP’S PETITION, AFFIRMS FINTIRI AS GOVERNOR OF ADAMAWA

November 21, 2023

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Umar Ardo, the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) nominee for governor of Adamawa State, submitted a case contesting Ahmadu Fintiri’s election, but it was denied by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Judge Ugochukwu Ogakwu’s verdict upheld an earlier ruling by Justice Theodora Uloho’s Tribunal, which had rejected Ardo’s petition on the grounds that it was improperly filed and incompetent.

The appellate court determined that the appellants’ claims against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of corrupt practices and Electoral Act noncompliance were unfounded.

Judge Ogakwu declared that the appeal could not be granted.

After Fintiri was proclaimed the election winner, the SDP candidate and his party filed a petition with the State Governorship Election Tribunal.

Due to significant violations of the Electoral Act, unethical behaviour, threats, and violence during the process, Ardo has requested that Fintiri’s reelection be void.

After that, Ardo appealed the tribunal’s decision, but his petition was denied by the appellate court.