The Court of Appeal in Abuja has rejected a petition filed by Umar Ardo, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), challenging the victory of Ahmadu Fintiri as the governor of Adamawa State.
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In the ruling, Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu upheld the previous decision of the Tribunal, led by Justice Theodora Uloho, which dismissed Ardo’s petition, citing incompetence and improper filing.
The appellate court stated that the appellants failed to provide evidence supporting allegations of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Ogakwu emphasized that there was no justification to grant the appeal.
Following Fintiri’s declaration as the winner of the poll, Ardo and the SDP had filed a petition at the State Governorship Election Tribunal, seeking the annulment of Fintiri’s re-election based on claims of substantial non-compliance, corrupt practices, threats, and violence during the election.
Despite Ardo’s appeal of the tribunal’s judgment, the Court of Appeal dismissed the petition.
