A division of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday has declined Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru’s request to be recognised as Adamawa governors-elect.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his ruling on Tuesday, ordered applicant counsel Mohammed Sheriff to address if the court has a jurisdiction to handle the matter before adjourning the case till April 26.
Hudu Yunusa Ari, the rogue Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Adamawa State, sidestepped the INEC returning officer, Mele Kyari, to declare Aishatu Binani of the APC as the winner of the rerun election on Saturday.
INEC dissociated itself from Mr Yunusa Ari’s illegal pronouncement, nullifying it. However, Mrs Binani approached the court seeking that the fraudulent declaration be upheld.
Mrs Binani, in the suit she jointly filed with her party, the All Progressives Congress, on April 17 and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/510/2023, said the court should immediately review INEC’s nullification of the exercise, arguing that the electoral office lacked the powers to reverse a declaration.
INEC said it has written the inspector general of police, Usman Baba, to investigate and prosecute Mr Yunusa-Ari for illegally declaring APC gubernatorial flag bearer Aishatu Dahiru, winner in Saturday’s supplementary elections.
