By
Fidelis Jockthan.
The Adamawa state Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the Social Democratic party(SDP) Governorship candidate, Dr.Umar Ardo Challenging the victory of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic party ( PDP) in the Governorship Election conducted by Independent National Electoral Commission on 18th March 2023.
The petition which was instituted on 8th may 2023 by Dr.Umar Ardo along with his running-mate ,Amos Yusuf joined INEC, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and 16 others as respondents.
The petition alleged that the Governorship Election didn’t complied with electoral Act 2022, characterized by harassment of security, announcement of double results and cancellation of some results by INEC and therefore be nullified by the Tribunal.
While delivering judgement that lasted for about three hours,Justice Theodora Uloho who led other three Judges dismissed the petition for lacking in merit.
She asserted that the oral and documentary evidences tendered by the petitioner lacked substance just like a skeleton without flesh.
According to her, since the evidences tendered by the petitioners are immaterial, admitting them is just like a waste of academic exercise and therefore thrown away the petition in it’s entirety.
Reacting to the verdict, the Adamawa state Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta who attended the proceedings alongside the Attorney General of the state,Barrister Afraimu Jingi said is a victory for democracy.
She appealed to the petitioners and other oppositions to join hands in Adamawa project.
Counsel to the petitioners,Silvester Emmanuel who was emotional on the judgement said he will study the Judgement and head to appeal court.
Recalled that Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri polled 421524 votes to defeat the petitioner,Dr.Umar who scored 350 votes in the march 18 Governorship Election conducted in Adamawa state.
