The Court of Appeal in Abuja has rejected the appeal seeking to annul the election of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State. The appeal was filed by the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Umar Ardo, challenging the victory of Fintiri from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Fintiri's election was announced and declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the Adamawa gubernatorial election held on March 18, 2023.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the results, Ardo took the matter to the Tribunal, aiming to invalidate Fintiri's election, citing non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the poll. However, the Tribunal, led by Justice T. O. Uloho, dismissed the petition on the grounds of incompetence and improper filing.

In its ruling on Tuesday, the three-member panel of the appeal court concurred with the Tribunal's decision, stating that the appellants failed to substantiate their allegations of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act against INEC.

Justice Ugochukwu Ogaku, heading the panel, asserted, "This appeal is bereft of merit. The decision of the Tribunal dismissing the petition is hereby affirmed."