The Adamawa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Aishatu Binani, challenging the victory of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

Ms Binani alleged in her petition that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not conduct the exercise in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Her petition had INEC, Mr Fintiri and the Peoples Democratic Party as the first, second and third respondents, respectively.

Dismissing her petition and affirming Mr Fintiri’s victory, the tribunal’s chairman, T. O. Uloho, in the lead judgement delivered on behalf of the three-member panel, said, “The petitioners woefully failed to establish their allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and prove their case with cogent, credible and satisfactory evidence.”

The tribunal stated that the court only adjudicates but not investigates, adding that petitioners failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, as all their witnesses only provided documentary hearsay.

The electoral body had declared the first election inconclusive and, on April 18, declared Mr Fintiri the winner of the controversial exercise after a supplementary poll.