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Tag: Ahmadu Fintiri

  • Gov. Fintiri reacts after tribunal victory

    Gov. Fintiri reacts after tribunal victory

    Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has described his victory at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as “victory to democracy and the rule of law”.

    Fintiri stated this shortly after the tribunal dismissed APC’s Aishatu Binani petition against his re-election for the second term in Yola on Saturday.

    Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Fintiri winner after a supplementary election on April 18.

    The Governorship Candidate of the APC, Sen. Aishatu Binani, had filed a petition challenging the election, alleging that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.

    Reacting, Fintiri assured good governance for the people of the state.

    According to him, this victory is also a victory for doing more to ensure massive development in the state.

    Fintiri called on the litigants to step aside in order to move ahead for the development of the state and county at large.

    He appreciated the tribunal judges for the role played in ensuring fairness and justice.

    Fintiri also commended his legal team, journalists and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for their roles from the time of the election up to the tribunal judgment.

  • Tribunal upholds election of Adamawa’s Gov  Fintiri, dismisses SDP petition

    Tribunal upholds election of Adamawa’s Gov  Fintiri, dismisses SDP petition

    The Adamawa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Yola on Monday affirmed the election of Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr Umar Ardo, and his party had challenged Fintiri’s victory before the tribunal, alleging corrupt practices, threat and violence at the election.

    Ardo, who joined INEC and 16 others as respondents in the election petition, prayed the tribunal to nullify the entire exercise.

    Dismissing the petition, however, chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Theodora Uloho, said it was lacking in merit, defective and incompetent.

    “The petition is incongruous and not properly instituted before the tribunal. The petitioners are not certain about what they want,’’ she declared.

    In his reaction, Mr Sylvester Emmanuel, counsel to Ardo, said the petitioner would file a petition to upturn the verdict.

    At the main and re-run election held in Adamawa, Fintiri emerged winner, while Madam Aisha Dahiru, popularly called Binani, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emerged as first runner-up.

    For both the main election and the rerun, the governor polled a total of 430,861 votes while the APC candidate scored 398,788 votes.

     

  • JUST IN: Fintiri receives Certificate of Return in Abuja

    JUST IN: Fintiri receives Certificate of Return in Abuja

    The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, and the Deputy Governor-elect, Prof Kaletapwa Farauta, have received their certificates of return on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

    The presentation of the certificates to the newly re-elected governor and his new deputy was at about 5pm.

    Recall that Fintiri on Tuesday emerged winner of a drama-filled supplementary election in Adamawa State.

    In last Saturday’s rerun, Fintiri, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 9,337 votes defeating Senator Aishatu ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 6,513 votes.

    At the end of the entire exercise, Fintiri polled 430,861 votes, defeating Binani who got 398,738 votes.

    The announcement was however preceded by political intrigues and betrayal by INEC REC who declared results not following due process.

  • Adamawa guber election: How Fintiri defeated Binani

    Adamawa guber election: How Fintiri defeated Binani

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday declared Gov Ahmadu Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the governorship election in Adamawa State.

    Fintiri polled 430,788 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Sen. Aishatu Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 398,788 votes.

    Recall INEC had declared the governorship election held on March 18 in the State as inconclusive due to some irregularities. A supplementary election was subsequently scheduled for April 15.

    However, controversy trailed the purported declaration of the APC’s Binani as the winner of the supplementary poll by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner. The commission, thereafter, declared the pronouncement null and void.

    Announcing the results of the governorship election on Tuesday in Yola, the Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed Mele, said that the supplementary poll was conducted in 69 Polling Units across 20 local government areas of the state.

    “Ahmadu Fintiri of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes in the election is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” he said.

  • Adamawa guber: Why I abruptly declared Binani winner – INEC REC

    Adamawa guber: Why I abruptly declared Binani winner – INEC REC

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Adamawa State, Mr Hudu Yunusa Ari has opened up on why he abruptly declared Sen. Aishatu Dahiru Binani winner of the State Governorship Election on Sunday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports there was confusion after Mr Ari declared Binani, candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), as governor-elect after the supplementary election held on Saturday in State.

    Ari announced Binani as the winner while the collation of results was still ongoing at the INEC collation centre in Yola. According to the INEC REC, Binani had scored the highest number of votes hence his decision to declare her as the winner. However, he did not provide the data or the results with which she won the election.

    “Based on the scores of the parties, the APC scored the highest votes. Going by that, Aishatu Binani is, hereby, declared as the elected Governor of Adamawa State,” he said.

    However, Dr Aliyu Idi Hong, the agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the collation center described the declaration as baseless and of no binding effect, pointing out that only a Returning Officer and not the REC has the powers under the Electoral Act to declare results.

    “We call on INEC to hasten sanctioning the Resident Electoral Commissioner for causing deliberate infraction” Hong said.

    Gov. Fintiri appeals for calm as INEC suspends collation of results

    Meanwhile, incumbent Governor of the State, Gov Ahmadu Fintiri has called on residents of the state to remain calm and peaceful as collation of results of the just-concluded governorship supplementary election has been suspended by INEC.

    The Governor, who addressed a news conference in Yola on Sunday commended the national headquarters of INEC for its prompt action, halting the declaration of APC governorship candidate, Aishatu Binani, as governor-elect.

    He expressed optimism that eventually the electoral umpire would collate and announced the winner of the election, saying only 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) were collated out of 20.

    He thanked the security agencies and people of the state for demonstrating courage and maturity throughout the tension period, stressing that no body would subvert your democratic rights.

    INEC seeks adequate security for officers

    Meanwhile, INEC has called on security agencies to provide adequate security for its two national commissioners and officers deployed to Adamawa for the supplementary governorship election.

    The commission made the call in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in Abuja on Sunday.

    The commission had earlier suspended result collation in the state, declaring the purported declared result by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) as null and void.

    Okoye, who said that the commission was disturbed by the harassment of its officers in the state, warned that nothing should happen to its officers in the state.

    “The Commission is deeply disturbed by the harassment of our two National Commissioners deployed to the State to ensure a peaceful and credible supplementary election.

    “We urge the security agencies to provide them with necessary security and ensure that nothing untoward befalls them.

    “The two National Commissioners, the Returning Officer and other staff of the Commission must be allowed to perform their duties without let or hindrance.”

    Okoye said that INEC would not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targeted at its officials or the process of the election in the state.

    Okoye had earlier refuted the purported declaration of the result by its REC in the Adamawa State Governorship election, Yunusa-Ari

    Okoye said that the action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer and therefore null, void and of no effect.

    “Consequently, the collation of the result of the supplementary election held yesterday April 15 is suspended forthwith.

    “The REC for Adamawa State and all other officials involved in the process are hereby directed to report immediately to INEC headquarters in Abuja.”

    Ari had declared Binani as winner midway into the collation. Reports indicate that results from 10 out of the 20 local government areas had been declared while the exercise was adjourned till 11 am.

    However, Ari announced the final result an hour before the scheduled time.

    PDP demands arrest of INEC REC

    Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the arrest of the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa State.

    PDP in a statement on Sunday by its spokesman, Debo Ologunagba said the declaration of Binani as winner of the Adamawa State Governorship election while the collation was ongoing is illegal.

    Ologunagba stated that such move is seen as usurping the duties and powers of the Returning Officer.

    “The PDP also demands for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, for making such illegal declaration in criminal usurpation of the duties and powers of the Returning Officer, Prof Mohammed Mele, while collation was ongoing.

    “It is even more absurd that the Adamawa State REC did not only usurp the powers of the Returning Officer but attempted to declare a winner without figures in reckless violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines as well as the sensibility of the people of Adamawa State,” the statement read.

  • Adamawa Governor, Fintiri escapes death by whiskers

    Adamawa Governor, Fintiri escapes death by whiskers

    The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri on Saturday escaped death by the whiskers after a truck lost control and crushed two vehicles in the Governor’s convoy.

    The governor, however, escaped unhurt in the accident that happened in Yola, the state capital. According to a witness, the incident happened shortly after the governor and some of his commissioners entered a black Mercedes bus at the end of a wedding at Agga Mosque in Dougirei highbrow area of Yola.

    A truck rolling down the steep road crushed two vehicles in his convoy, leaving two policemen identified as Inspector Madu and Sergeant Isa injured.

    A resident, Muhammad Dougirei, said the tipper suddenly ran toward the governor’s convoy at a speed so high, suggesting that the driver had lost control.

    He said security operatives controlling traffic flow at the venue scampered in different directions.

    According to Daily Trust, the driver managed to steer the truck away from the direction of the bus conveying the governor to hit the official vehicle of the permanent secretary, Political and Security Affairs at the government house, and a Peugeot 406 conveying a video journalist and the two injured policemen.

    It added that the police escort consequently manhandled the elderly driver as well as a young man who pleaded with them to take it easy with him before the driver was thrown into a police pickup van and whisked away to Jimeta Police Division in the metropolis.

    However, the governor who came out unhurt, personally rebuked the driver after which he was hurriedly transferred to a Toyota jeep.

  • Gov. Fintiri scores 633 out of 638 votes, emerges as PDP’s governorship candidate

    No fewer than 663 delegates on Wednesday elected Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa as the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate to contest the 2023 election for a second term of office.

    Dr Gibon Katabs, Chairman of the electoral committee of the primary election made the announcement in Yola after the exercise.

    Fintiri was the only contestant following the disqualification of Mr Jamil Waziri by the screening committee.

    Katabs said that 668 delegates were accredited, but there were five invalid votes.

    “Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri scored 663 valid votes and is hereby returned as the governorship candidate of PDP for Adamawa in 2023,’’ he said.

    Katabs also commended the delegates for the successful primary election.

    In his acceptance speech, Fintiri thanked and appreciated the delegates for the confidence reposed in him to run for a second term of office.

    He congratulated all the party’s candidates for the successful primary elections and assured that the party would stand by them to the end.

    Fintiri urged those who lost elections to accept their fate as an act of God and to continue to support the party to succeed as one family.

    He also called on the party’s supporters to be ready for the national convention to ensure that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, an Adamawa indigene and former vice-president emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.

  • 2023: Atiku becoming president, matter of time – Fintiri

    2023: Atiku becoming president, matter of time – Fintiri

    Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa says it is a matter of time for former vice president Atiku Abubakar to become the country’s number one citizen.

    Fintiri expressed optimism that Atiku is just one step away from emerging as president.

    He stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in Yola on Monday.

    He said Atiku got the ticket in 2019 and would get it again in 2023, considering his experience and the calibre of people supporting him.

    “I think he will be there, In-shaa Allah. It is a matter of time and one step.

    “Politics is local, whether you are aspiring for the smallest or the highest position, you must have the base, which is home.

    “This, we have provided for our leader, the former Vice President in his aspiration for the presidency of Nigeria for the 2023 general elections,” he said.

    Fintiri said that Atiku has the experience and if he emerged as president, he would close the gaps of the challenges in the country.

    “He has the experience, he understands the dynamics of this country and I believe he would be able to close the gap, bring us together and that will solve part of the security challenges in the country,” said the governor.

  • Boko Haram: Gov. Fintiri mourns Nigerian soldiers killed in Chibok

    Boko Haram: Gov. Fintiri mourns Nigerian soldiers killed in Chibok

    Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has condoled with the families and colleagues of the late Brig.-Gen. Dzarma Zirkusu and three other soldiers killed on Saturday while battling insurgents.

    Fintiri, in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou, on Sunday in Yola, commended the bravery of the special forces with the support of other troops who repelled the attack by the insurgents.

    “Gen. Zirkusu and the three others were brave soldiers who died in the line of duty while fighting terrorists,” Fintiri said.

    “I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest sympathy and that of the government and people of Adamawa to the families and loved ones of the fallen heroes.

    “I stand with you. Nigeria stands with you. I deeply appreciate the sacrifice made by your loved ones in defence of our democracy, our peace and our security”. Fintiri said.

    He urged Adamawa people and Nigerian citizens to remember the families of the fallen heroes and to always pray that their souls rest in peace.

    The governor also urged the families, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff to take heart and bear the irreparable loss knowing that their loved ones died in active service and paid the supreme sacrifice.

    “We will not be cowed by these cowards. Our Armed Forces will continue to fulfil our mission, to defeat terror. Our soldiers’ blood will not be shed in vain”.

    He expressed confidence that the day was coming when Nigerians would look back at this moment in history and say “Thank God there were courageous people willing to serve because they laid the foundation for peace for generations to come”.

    He praised the heroism of the late Zirkusu and troops fighting terrorism in Nigeria.

    “We are on track to victory against evil. My thoughts and prayers go out to families of troops killed in war every day, not just on the loss of these brave soldiers, but all who laid their lives in supreme sacrifice for the freedom of Nigeria,” Fintiri said.

    The late Zirkusu before the attack was the Commanding Officer the 28 Task Force Brigade in Chibok, Borno.

  • PDP NEC appoints Gov Fintri Chairman of 2021 National Convention Committee

    PDP NEC appoints Gov Fintri Chairman of 2021 National Convention Committee

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP National Executive Committee, NEC on Thursday appointed the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri as its Chairman, 2021 National Convention Organizing Committee.

    Senator Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa state will serve as Deputy Chairman of the committee, while Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo state is to serve as Secretary.

    Similarly, NEC also approved Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Governor of Enugu state as Chairman of Zoning Committee.

    Dr. Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue state will serve as the Deputy Chairman and Barr. Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed is the secretary of the committee.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this is contained in a communique issued after the 93rd NEC headed by the acting National Chairman, Elder Yomi Akinwonmi also resolved among other things to commend the efforts of the National Working Committee, the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), the National Assembly caucus and other stakeholders in resolving the challenges confronting the party.

    NEC charged the committees to work hard to ensure the successful conduct of the National Convention.

    “NEC received the report of the Senator David Mark committee, which is intervening in certain issues relating to the leadership challenges in our party. The David Mark committee assured that efforts are on to resolve all court matters.

    “NEC thanks Nigerians for the confidence they repose in the PDP and for the solidarity and support they have collectively shown our party at this trying time.”