The ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate for governor of Adamawa State, Aisha Dahiru, also referred to as Binani, contesting the election outcome of state governor Ahmadu Fintiri, has been postponed.
Following hearing arguments from all sides in the case, a five-member panel headed by Justice John Okoro rendered its ruling on Monday.
The incidents that followed the Adamawa governorship election are what gave rise to the legal dispute.
Binani Sue INEC For Nullificating Her Alleged Election Victory
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) first proclaimed the election to be inconclusive on March 20.
Returning officer Mele Lamido reported that Binani received 390,275 votes, compared to Fintiri’s 421,524 votes.
In 69 polling places where elections were cancelled, the difference between the two leading candidates was less than the 37,016 total number of eligible voters. As a result, a supplemental election has been scheduled for April 15.
A furore ensued following the second poll. In the absence of the returning officer and prior to the polls closing, Binani was proclaimed the winner by Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Adamawa State resident electoral commissioner (REC), who has subsequently been suspended.
However, INEC disregarded this announcement and carried on with the results compilation.
Watch Moment Adamawa REC Announced Binani As Winner Of Guber Elections
Binani received 398,788 votes in the end, while Fintiri received 430,861 votes to win.
Following these incidents, Yunusa-Ari was taken into custody and turned over to the authorities to face charges.
Binani’s petition challenging Fintiri’s victory was denied by the Court of Appeal and the State Election Petition Tribunal before it made it all the way to the Supreme Court.
In the hopes of receiving a favourable ruling, the APC and its candidate are currently requesting remedy at the highest court.
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