The long-awaited verdict by the Adamawa State Governorship Election Tribunal has finally been delivered, affirming the victory of Umaru Fintiri as the governor of Adamawa State. This decision comes as a confirmation of the people’s choice in the March 2023 governorship election.
Umaru Fintiri, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emerged victorious with a total of 430,861 votes, outshining his closest rival, Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 398,738 votes. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) duly announced Fintiri as the winner.
In response to this outcome, Mrs. Dahiru and several other contestants lodged a petition before the tribunal, seeking the invalidation of Fintiri’s victory. However, after a meticulous examination of the evidence presented, the tribunal unequivocally upheld the legitimacy of Governor Fintiri’s election.
It is worth noting that during the initial declaration of results, a controversial incident occurred. The then Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, unlawfully assumed the role of the returning officer and announced Mrs. Dahiru as the winner while the collation of results was still in progress. In light of this, INEC swiftly nullified Yunusa-Ari’s decision and suspended him. Additionally, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a thorough investigation into the actions of the electoral commissioner and the security personnel present at the time of the declaration.
Resolute in their commitment to upholding the democratic process, INEC concluded the collation of results after addressing the complications and duly declared Umaru Fintiri as the authentic winner of the election, a decision now validated by the tribunal.
With this ruling, the people of Adamawa State can rest assured that their collective voice has been heard and their choice duly recognized. The victory of Umaru Fintiri stands as a testament to his exceptional leadership and the trust bestowed upon him by the citizens of Adamawa.
As Governor Fintiri embarks on his second term in office, it is hoped that he will continue to uphold the aspirations and welfare of the people, providing visionary leadership and driving sustainable development in the state.
