The Supreme Court, led by Justice John Okoro, dismissed the appeal of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Aisha Dahiru, affirming Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri's win in the Adamawa State election.
The court held that the Resident Electoral Commissioner's actions were deemed irresponsible and criminal, emphasizing that only the returning officer possesses the authority to declare election results.
This ruling highlights the importance of adhering to electoral procedures to prevent chaos and maintain order. The legal battle stems from the inconclusive election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 20, 2023. Controversy arose during collation when the REC declared Binani the winner without the returning officer present, leading to subsequent nullification and a rescheduled supplementary election.
The final results confirmed Fintiri's victory, sparking the suspension and prosecution of the REC for his role in the irregularities.
