Nigeria: Tribunal dismisses SDP candidate's petition against Fintiri

Adamawa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, convened on Monday, October 2, delivered its verdict, dismissing the petition filed by Umar Ardo, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the state’s last election.

The tribunal’s decision was a significant development in the ongoing legal battle following the gubernatorial election held on March 18, 2023.

Umar Ardo, alongside his deputy, Amos Yusuf, and the SDP, had submitted a petition contesting the legitimacy of the governorship election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa State.

The petition, filed on May 8, 2023, named INEC, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, and 16 others as respondents, alleging that the electoral process did not adhere to the Nigerian Electoral Act’s substantial compliance requirements.

Ardo’s petition contended that the election was tainted by bribery, threats, and violence, seeking its complete nullification.

In response, the respondents, which included INEC, Governor Fintiri, and others, argued that Ardo’s petition lacked sufficient evidence and failed to comply with the Electoral Act’s provisions.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice T.O. Uloho, delivered the judgment, declaring the petition as “incompetent, defective, and not properly instituted.”

Justice Uloho emphasized the petitioners’ lack of clarity regarding their demands.

Consequently, the tribunal dismissed the petition and imposed a penalty of N200,000 against Umar Ardo, Amos Yusuf, and the SDP. This sum was awarded in favor of INEC, Governor Fintiri, Deputy Governor Kaletapwa Farauta, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The tribunal’s decision marks a significant milestone in the aftermath of Adamawa State’s gubernatorial election, providing clarity and resolution to the contentious legal dispute surrounding the election’s legitimacy.