Tribunal Affirms Fintiri As Adamawa Governor

*It’s A Victory For Democracy, Rule Of Law, Says Fintiri The Adamawa Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Saturday affirmedthe election Gov Ahmadu Fintiri in the March 18 poll, dismissing the petition by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Aishatu Binani.Delivering the judgement, Justice Theodora Uloho, the Chairman of the tribunal said the petition failed to established the allegation of non adherence with the Electoral Act during the election. “The petitioner failed to establish the allegation of non- compliance with the electoral act and prove the case with cogent, credible and satisfactory evidence. “All documents tendered by the petitioner were dumped on the tribunal and that the star witness did not demonstrate any of the documents to link it with any of their material allegation in the petition,” she said.The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Fintiri as the winner after he scored430,861 votes to defeat Binani who scored 398,788 votes.However, Binani filed a petition challenging the declaration, alleging that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with the electoral act.Reacting, Mr Sani Garba, the Counsel to Binani said he would study the judgment and intimate the petitioners on the next line of action.  Meanwhile, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has described his victory at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as “victory to democracy and the rule of law”. Fintiri stated this shortly after the tribunal dismissed APC’s Aishatu Binani petition against his re-election for the second term in Yola on Saturday. Reacting, Fintiri assured the people of good governance. According to him, this victory is also a victory for doing more to ensure massive development in the state. He called on the litigants to step aside in order to move ahead for the development of the state and county at large. He appreciated the tribunal judges for the role played in ensuring fairness and justice. Fintiri also commended his legal team, journalists and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for their roles from the time of the election up to the tribunal judgment.

Breaking News: Tribunal Upholds Caleb Mutfwang’s Election as Plateau Governor

The Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal, which convened in Jos, North Central Nigeria on Friday, has affirmed the victory of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the Plateau State gubernatorial election. The tribunal, consisting of three members, issued a unanimous judgment on Friday, ruling against the petitioner on the grounds that the petition lacked merit. The petitioner, who is also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, saw all three of their arguments dismissed by the tribunal. The election results from March 20, where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Prof Idris Amali, declared Mutfwang as the winner with 525,299 votes, were upheld. Yilwatda, the APC candidate, secured 481,370 votes. The PDP emerged victorious in 10 local government areas, including Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Lantang North, Langtang South, Riyom, Mikang, Mangu, Jos East, Qua’an Pan, and Pokkos. Meanwhile, the APC garnered the highest number of votes in seven local government areas: Jos East, Kanke, Kanam, Pankshin, Shendam, Wase, and Jos North. This decision by the tribunal solidifies Caleb Mutfwang’s position as the governor of Plateau State, bringing an end to the election dispute. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.

Tinubu’s election victory uncontestable, Tribunal rules

*Dismisses all petitions against him The Presidential Election Petition Court on Wednesday dismissed all the three petitions filed before the cit which challenged the February 2023 presidential election that produced Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the winner. The five-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsunami unanimously held that the petition by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP)and the Allied Peoples Party (APM) lack merit. Giving the verdict, the court held that the Petitioners failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt that the presidential election was marred by malpractice and irregularities. Consequently, the court held that the return of Ahmed Bola Tinubu as elected President by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is right and subsists.

INEC Chairman evading our subpoena, Obi tells Tribunal

The Labour Party, LP and it’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, on Wednesday revealed that their attempt to serve the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chairman, Prof Yakubu Mahmoud with a subpoena has been abortive. The Petitioners, through their Counsel, Livy Uzoukwu SAN, drew the attention of the court to the subpoena which was to furnish them with certain documents.  He added that he spoke to the lead counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud who promised to help out. He therefore, asked for an adjournment until tomorrow. “We have drawn the attention of Abubakar Mahmoud SAN on the failed attempt to subpoena INEC and the office of the INEC to produce certain documents despite efforts of the bailiff of the court. “He asked for a copy of the subpoena which I couldn’t produce at that time, but he suggested I give to any member of the team in court . “I am confident we will do the needful and we will continue tomorrow. Responding, Counsel to INEC, Kemi Pinhero, SAN, told the court that the petitioner’s counsel should stop using INEC as ‘a weeping boy.’ “It is not correct that the office of the INEC chairman refused to be served, but PDP served several documents and received replies,” she said. He added that it has become the habit of the petitioners each time they want an adjournment to find a blame on INEC. “It has become a habit, whenever they want an adjournment, they will look for someone to whip. I have no privy that he had any discussion with AB Mahmoud. “We have no ideal of subpoena served and the refusal. PDP served us, we received and file our reply. “Everytime the matter came up, they keep saying INEC is refusing a document.  “If they want an adjournment, they should ask for it and we will not be objecting. The reason on not accepting or refusing service is absolutely not correct. It is very uncharitable,” INEC defended. Other respondents’ counsel however, did not object to the prayer for adjournment. Meanwhile, the five-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned until tomorrow (Thursday) for further hearing of the petition.