Tribunal Dismisses SDP’s Petition Against Fintiri’s Victory In Adamawa 

The Adamawa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, on Sunday, dismissed the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr Umar Ardo, challenging the electoral victory of the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri.

Ardo had filed the petition before the Tribunal following the declaration of Fintiri as the winner of the March 18 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ardo’s petition, which also joined INEC, Fintiri and 16 others as respondents, alleged that the March 18 election was not conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.

The petitioners (Ardo and SDP) further alleged that the exercise conducted by the 1st respondent was marred by corrupt practices (bribery), threats and violence and, therefore, sought the nullification of the entire exercise.

On their part, the 1st to 4th respondents told the Tribunal that the petition was statue barred and cannot be entertained by the Tribunal, alleging that the petition was not supported with evidence and not filed in compliance with the provision of the Electoral Act.

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However, in the judgement read by the chairman of the Tribunal, Justice T. O. Uloho, declared that the petition was incompetent, defective, incongruous, and not properly instituted before the Tribunal, and that the petitioners are not certain with what they want.

Justice Ulohomstated that the petitioners had lumped the ground of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act as well as failed to file a written statement of names of witnesses they intended to call.

She further declared that the allegation of corrupt practices must be proved with cogent and credible evidence and failure to so do render the petition without any probative value, worthless and lifeless.

She dismissed the petition and thereafter awarded the sum of N200,000 cost against the petitioners and in favour of INEC, Fintiri, and his running mate, Prof. Farauta Kaletapwa and PDP.