On Tuesday, the Federal High Court‘s A division in Abuja denied Aisha Binani Dahiru’s appeal to be recognized as Adamawa governor-elect.
In his judgement on Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo directed applicant lawyer Mohammed Sheriff to address whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the issue before adjourning it till April 26.
Hudu Yunusa Ari, the rogue Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Adamawa State, bypassed the INEC returning officer, Mele Kyari, on Saturday to pronounce Aishatu Binani of the APC the victor of the rerun poll.
INEC distanced itself from Mr Yunusa Ari’s unconstitutional proclamation, rendering it null and void. Mrs Binani, on the other hand, petitioned the court to uphold the bogus declaration.
Mrs Binani, in a petition filed on April 17 alongside her party, the All Progressives Congress, and designated FHC/ABJ/CS/510/2023, asked the court to promptly review INEC’s nullification of the election, alleging that the electoral office lacked the authority to rescind a declaration.
INEC said it had written to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, requesting that Mr Yunusa-Ari be investigated and prosecuted for improperly proclaiming APC gubernatorial candidate Aishatu Dahiru the winner of Saturday’s supplemental polls.