Adamawa State Governorship Electoral Petitions Tribunal on Monday, dismissed the petition filed by Dr. Umar Ardo Ardo against Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
The Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic Party(SDP), Dr. Umar Ardo, his Deputy, Amos Yusuf and SDP filed a petition challenging the governorship election conducted by INEC on the 18th March, 2023.
Dr. Ardo, in his petition instituted on the 8th May, 2023 had joined INEC, Fintiri and 16 others as respondents, alleging that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with the electoral act.
The petitioners further alleged that the exercise conducted by the 1st respondent was marred by corrupt practices(bribery), threats and violence and however sought the nullification of the entire exercise.
On their part, 1st to 4th respondents, told the tribunal that the petition is statue barred which cannot be entertained by tribunal, alleging that the petition is not supported with evidence and not filed in compliance with the provision of the electoral act.
In her judgement, the Chairman of the tribunal, T. O. Uloho, declared that the petition is incompetent, defective, incongruous and not properly instituted before the tribunal, and that the petitioners are not certain with what they want.
Justice Uloho, stated that the petitioners had lumped the ground of corrupt practices and non compliance with the electoral act as well as failed to file written statement of names of witnesses they intended to call.
She further declared that the allegation of corrupt practices must be proved with cogent and credible evidence and failure to so do renders the petition without any probative value, worthless and lifeless.
She dismissed the petition and awarded the sum of N200, 000 in favour of INEC, Fintiri, Prof. Kaletapwa and PDP against the petitioners.
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