The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Ahmadu Fintiri the winner of the Adamawa State governorship election. Returning Officer Muhammed Melee announced on Tuesday that the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate secured 430,861 votes, defeating his main rival, Aisha Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who received 398,788 votes.
INEC reopened the collation centre on Tuesday to announce the supplementary election results. The supplementary poll, held on Saturday, 15 April, followed the inconclusive March 18 election, which was marred by irregularities. The collation process had been halted on Sunday after Resident Electoral Commissioner Hudu Ari prematurely declared Binani the winner. INEC responded on Monday by ordering Ari to stay away from the office.
In his acceptance speech, Governor‑elect Fintiri expressed humility and gratitude, congratulating his opponents for their efforts. He condemned Ari’s earlier declaration, describing it as falling “below expectation,” and thanked Adamawa voters for choosing continuity.
Amid the political turmoil, Inspector General of Police Usman Baba ordered the immediate withdrawal of Commissioner of Police on election duty Mohammed Barde from Adamawa. He also directed the Commissioner of Police for Gombe State, Etim Equa, to proceed to Adamawa to ensure security for the highly contested supplementary governorship poll. Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi confirmed these moves while addressing the press in Abuja, emphasizing the IGP’s commitment to a free and fair electoral process.
On the same day, a Federal High Court in Abuja refused to hear an ex‑parte motion filed by Binani concerning the election, citing jurisdictional issues. Justice Inyang Ekwo instructed APC candidate’s counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, to address the jurisdiction question before the substantive motion could be considered. During the resumed hearing, lawyer Afeez Matomi appeared on behalf of Governor Fintiri, the third respondent in the case. When asked if he had been served, Matomi replied that they had not yet been served but had filed a counter‑motion after learning of the ex‑parte application via social media. Justice Ekwo declined to hear Fintiri’s lawyer at that stage, emphasizing adherence to legal procedures. The judge adjourned the matter to 26 April for a hearing on the motion and a determination of jurisdiction.
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