The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 31st January 2024, dismissed an appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate in Adamawa state, Aisha Dahiru, also known as Binani, against Ahmadu Fintiri.
Reading the lead judgment on Wednesday, John Okoro concluded that Binani’s appeal lacked merit.
Mr Okoro also ruled that a resident electoral commissioner, who pronounced Ms Dahiru the winner while the results were still being compiled, lacked the authority to announce election results.
Dahiru had petitioned the Supreme Court to affirm the declaration made by beleaguered Hudu Yunusa, an INEC Resident election Commissioner,REC, for acting as an election umpire in accordance with Section 149 of the Election Act.
The court further reprimanded the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Ari, for proclaiming the appellant the winner of the election, calling the action reckless and illegal.
Okoro emphasized that the Returning Officer, not the REC, has the sole authority to proclaim election results.
He stated thatSection 149 of the Electoral Act applies only if the action conducted is legal.
Justice Okoro added that officials deployed for the election are expected to carry out their tasks within the boundaries of their authority.
Story: Ihuoma Ukeje