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PDP, Governors’ Forum Celebrate Fintiri’s Guber Election Victory
By Jude Opara, Johnson Eyiangho, Gom Mirian (Abuja) & Yagana Ali, Yola
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the victory of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in the Adamawa State Governorship election as a momentous triumph for democracy and the Will of the people of the state “over tyranny and desperate manipulative forces which sought to take over control of the state illegally”.
The party said in a statement by its Spokesman, Hon.
Debo Ologunagba, yesterday, that the jubilation of citizens in Adamawa State at the official declaration of Fintiri as the rightful winner of the election irrespective of the schemes by the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a confirmation that the PDP and its candidate are indeed the choice of the people.Ologunagba said Fintiri’s overwhelming victory is a validation that the Will of the people cannot be subdued no matter the plot by a tyrannic, domineering and power-grabbing few who, with over-bloated ambition, desperately sought to subvert democracy, scuttle the electoral process, compromise the judiciary, subjugate the people and impose an unconstitutional regime in the polity.
“The PDP salutes the courage, resilience and determination of the people of Adamawa State in resisting the defeated APC and compromised INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari in their bid to destabilize the State.
“Our Party also lauds the Adamawa State Returning Officer, Mohammed Mele for his courage in standing on the side of justice, due process and democracy in the discharge of his duty.
“The PDP salutes the roles played by the International and domestic election Observers, the Media, Organized Civil Society and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians in ensuring that the mandate of the people of Adamawa State freely given to the PDP and our Candidate, Governor Fintiri, was not hijacked by APC supplanters.
“The PDP congratulates Governor Fintiri and the people of Adamawa State and urges the Governor to continue in his landmark transformational delivery of democracy dividends to the people in line with the manifesto, programmes and policies of the PDP,” he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Tuesday, declared the PDP Governorship Candidate in the March 18, 2023 Election, Rt Hon Umaru Fintiri, as winner of the election.
Fintiri scored a total of 430, 861 votes to defeat his closest rival, the APC Candidate, Aisha Binani, who scored 398,788 votes.
This was after the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, usurped the authority and power of the Returning Officer in the election, and declared the APC candidate as winner on Sunday, while collation results were ongoing.
However, the INEC headquarters intervened by nullifying the declaration and summoned the REC and officials involved in the exercise to Abuja.
Also yesterday, the PDP Governors’ Forum has congratulated one of its members, Adamawa’s Gov. Umaru Fintiri on his re-election.
In a statement issued by the forum’s Director-General, Mr CID Maduabum in Abuja on Tuesday, it described Fintiri’s victory as victory for democracy.
“It was a hard-fought and hard-won victory, not just for Gov. Fintiri, but also for Adamawa; for democracy and for due process in Nigeria
“Indeed, Nigeria has just been rescued from descent into the abyss,” it stated.
The forum also commended INEC for the way it handled the election.
“It is in this regard that the Commission is requested to promptly re-visit all other elections where infractions had been identified.
“Where matters have been taken to the tribunal, INEC should assume a garb and toga of neutrality and inform the tribunals of the actual events that transpired in elections,” it added.
The PDP governors called on Fintiri to continue to justify the huge mandate and trust of the people of Adamawa.
INEC declared Fintiri winner of the supplementary governorship election in Adamawa having polled 430,788 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Sen. Aishatu Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 398,788 votes.
INEC Declares Fintiri Adamawa Guber Election Winner
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday has declared incumbent Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the governorship supplementary 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.
Announcing the result yesterday 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.
INEC had fixed April 15 for supplementary governorship poll following the declaration of the March 18 election inconclusive in the state.
However, controversy trailed the purported declaration of the APC’s Binani as the winner of the supplementary poll by the Adama State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Hudu Yunusa-Ari.
The commission, thereafter, declared the pronouncement null and void.
It’s Not Yet Uhuru – Atiku
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has congratulated Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for emerging as the winner of the governorship election in Adamawa State.
The state returning officer, Prof Mohammed Mele said Fintiri of PDP scored a total of 430,861 to defeat Sen Aishatu Ahmed Binani of the APC, who polled 396,788.
Reacting on his Twitter page, Atiku said Fintiri deserved re-election.
He also thanked the people of Adamawa State for resisting coupists and enemies of democracy.
“Congratulations, Gov Ahmadu Fintiri, on your deserved reelection as governor of Adamawa State. Thank you to the people of Adamawa and men and women of goodwill for staying the course in resisting coupists and enemies of democracy from having their way.
“The lesson from this exercise and others is the need for Nigerians to be vigilant and never give in to anti-democratic forces whose objective is to snatch, run with and undermine the mandate of the people as freely expressed in their votes.
“By the way, it is not yet Uhuru as we still have one more major mandate to reclaim, and together as ONE, we shall accomplish the task for the good of our country and its people.”
INEC Asks IGP to Arrest, Prosecute Adamawa REC
Barely 24 hours after he was suspended from office, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it will soon write the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) to immediately arrest, investigation and prosecution the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa state, Hudu Yunusa-Ari.
INEC disclosed this in a statement it put out on its verified Tweeter handle on Tuesday after its meeting in Abuja.
The Commission further disclosed that the collation process of results of the supplementary governorship election in the state would resume at a time to be determined by the Returning Officer.
“At its meeting today, April 18, the Commission discussed matters arising from the Adamawa Governorship election and decided to:
“Write to the Inspector-General of Police for the immediate investigation and possible prosecution of the REC for Adamawa State, Yunusa-Ari.
“Request the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to draw the attention of the appointing authority to the unwholesome behaviour of the REC for further action.
“The collation process shall resume at a time to be determined by the Returning Officer. Detailed official statement will follow shortly,” the Tweet read.
It could be recalled that the embattled Yunusa-Ari had on Sunday declared the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Aishatu Dahiru winner of the Adamawa state Governorship election even as the collation process was still ongoing.
The development forced the INEC headquarters to immediately same Sunday to suspend the collation process and summoned the REC and all other electoral officers involved in the process to report in Abuja.
Similarly, the Commission on Monday directed the State Administrative Secretary to take over the running of its affairs in the state.
Court Declines Binani’s Restraining Request Against INEC
A federal high court in Abuja has refused to hear an ex-parte application by Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru seeking to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from invalidating her declaration as winner of the Adamawa state governorship election.
At the court session yesterday, Inyang Ekwo, presiding judge, asked Binani’s lawyer, Mohammed Sherif, to first address the issues of jurisdiction before hearing the substantive motion.
The court ordered Binani to file her address on whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the application within two days.
Afeez Matomi, counsel to Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, who was in court was not allowed to make submissions since the APC candidate brought the action through an ex-parte application.
Ekwo thereafter adjourned the suit till April 26.
The Adamawa governorship supplementary election was conducted on Saturday following the declaration of the March 18 poll as inconclusive over alleged irregularities.
The collation of election results was suspended till Sunday after results from 10 LGAs were announced.
However, INEC discontinued the exercise after Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the resident electoral commissioner, declared Binani, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner.
Yunusa-Ari made the declaration when outstanding results were yet to be announced — but the electoral umpire subsequently described his action as null and void.
The electoral body said the declaration of a winner is the responsibility of the returning officer.
This made Binani approach the court with an ex-parte motion.
Binani applied for leave of the court to allow her to seek, “an order of prohibition and certiorari removing to this court for the purpose of being set aside the administrative decision of the 1st respondent made on 16th April 2023 in respect of the declaration of the winner from the gubernatorial election of Adamawa state held on the 18th of March, 2023 and the supplementary election held on 15th April, 2023”.
The APC candidate also wants an order “preventing the 1st respondent, its agent, assign or any person acting on its behalf from taking any further steps towards the declaration of the winner from the gubernatorial election of Adamawa state held on the 18th of March and the supplementary election held on 15th April 2023, pending the determination of the application for judicial review”.
She claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Fintiri, resorted to stirring violence after she was declared the winner.
She averred that INEC staff were caught up in the violence and were manhandled which caused the electoral commission to cancel the initial declaration.
Binani submitted that INEC lacks the power to cancel an election result as such power is constitutionally vested in the election petition tribunal.
IGP Replaces Adamawa CP over Role in Poll
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, has asked Mohammed Barde, commissioner of police in Adamawa, to withdraw from the state.
The IGP ordered Etim Equa, Commissioner of Police in Gombe State to proceed to Adamawa immediately to provide election security in the state.
Muyiwa Adejobi, police spokesperson, made the announcement yesterday while briefing newsmen in Abuja.
There have been calls for Barde to be redeployed from the state following the declaration of Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the governorship election in Adamawa.
Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Commission (INEC), on Sunday, announced Binani winner of the election while under police protection led by Barde.
Adejobi said the force led by Baba is committed to a free and fair election process.
“The IGP has given a directive that the commissioner of police on election security in Adamawa state, CP Barde should pull out of Adamawa state and the commissioner of police in charge of Gombe state, CP Etim Equa to proceed to Adamawa immediately, to go and supervise the election and provide the necessary information and ensure that the process is a success,” Adejobi said.
The Adamawa governorship supplementary election was conducted on Saturday following the declaration of the March 18 poll as inconclusive over alleged irregularities.
The collation of election results was suspended till Sunday after results from 10 LGAs were announced.
However, Yunusa-Ari declared Binani as the winner when the results from the remaining LGAs had not been announced.
INEC subsequently discontinued the exercise and described his action as null and void, adding that the declaration of a winner is the responsibility of the returning officer.
The development triggered protests in the state. Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged a demonstration on Monday, marching through the streets of Yola, the capital of the state.
Meanwhile, INEC has commenced the collation of election results in the state.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will spend the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year days in Kuje prison, Abuja, following refusal of his bail application by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Justice Maryann Anenih yesterday adjourned the case until Jan.
29, Feb. 25, and Feb. 27, 2025 for the continuation of the hearing.The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an N110 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Anenih had refused to grant a bail application filed by Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.
The judge admitted Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, to bail in the sum of N 300 million each with two sureties.
Justice Anenih, while delivering a ruling said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on Nov. 22.
“The 1st Defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the Defendant’s Counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.
Opposing the bail application, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the instant application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.
He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but the 1st Defendant’s Counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority
“That says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing.”
Justice Anenih held that the instant application for bail showed that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
Citing the ACJA, the judge said the provision provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.
Bello had filed an application for his bail on November 22 but was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on Nov. 27.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Association (CONAECDA) has called on the federal government to intensify efforts in the resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral homes.
The organization made this call at the end of its conference held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital weekend.
Thirty resolutions were passed covering security, economy, politics, governance, culture, languages, human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights among others.
The Conference President, Samuel Achie and Secretary Suleman Sukukum in a communique noted that the conference received and discussed reports from communities based on which resolutions were reached on securing, reconstruction, rehabilitation and returning communities displaced by violence across the Middle Belt.
“After considering the reports from communities displaced by violent conflicts, conference resolved, and called on government to focus on providing security to deter further displacements.
“Call on government to provide security to enable communities to return. Government and donor partners should assist in reconstructing and returning displaced communities,” the communique stated.
The GOC 3 Armoured Division Nigeria Army represented by Lt Col Abdullahi Mohammed said the Nigerian Army is committed to working closely with communities to achieve a crime-free society, urging communities to support them with credible information.
“Security is a collective effort, and we cannot do it alone, the community plays a crucial role in ensuring safety.
“We urge everyone here not to shield or protect individuals involved in criminal activities. Transparency and collaboration, together, with maximum cooperation, we can achieve peace, security, and prosperity for our society,” the GOC stated.
The National Coordinator of CONECDA, Dr. Zuwaghu Bonat in his address at the gathering noted that the theme of this year’s program, Returning, Resettling, and Rehabilitating Displaced Communities, was chosen as a wakeup call on the federal government.
He maintained that the organization is aware that President Bola Tinubu has expressed a commitment to ensuring that displaced communities return to their ancestral lands.
He said similarly, some state governments, including Plateau State, have set up committees to address the lingering matter.
The coordinator however cautioned, “It is critical that we avoid generalizations or profiling. For instance, Not all Muslims are involved in terrorism. The overwhelming majority of Muslims in Nigeria are peaceful and reject extremist ideologies.
“We also know that some terrorists exploit religion to mobilize support or rationalize their actions. However, their atrocities – slaughtering women, cutting open pregnant mothers, and killing children show a profound disregard for humanity and God. Normal human beings would not commit such acts.
“We must also be cautious about lumping banditry with terrorism. While statistics indicate that many bandits and kidnappers may share similar ethnic backgrounds, kidnapping has now evolved into a profit-driven enterprise. This distinction is vital to address the root causes effectively,” he stated.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Middle Belt Nationalities, Hon Daniel Kwada noted that the conference was apt to addressed the various underlying issues bedeviling the region and its people.
“We in the Middle Belt have long been standing at the crossroads of Nigeria’s complex history. Despite our tireless efforts to stabilize this nation, we have faced immense challenges, including underdevelopment, security issues, and marginalization.
“Often, we are unfairly maligned, but gatherings like this offer a chance to change the narrative.
“Such conferences set the tone for better discussions. They allow us to drive processes that bring development, ensure security, and elevate our people to greater heights,” Mutfwang noted.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on banks to reinforce their corporate governance principles and risk management frameworks to boost investor confidence during the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.
Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, SEC, said this at the yearly workshop of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) held in Lagos.
The theme of the workshop is: “Recapitalisation: Bridging the Gap between Investors and Issuers in the Nigerian Capital Market”.
Agama, represented by the Divisional Head of Legal and Enforcement at the SEC, Mr John Achile, stated that the 2024–2026 banking sector recapitalisation framework offers clear guidance for issuers while prioritising the protection of investors’ interests
He restated the commission’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in the recapitalisation process.
The director-general stated that the key to bridging the gap between issuers and investors remained the harnessing of innovation for inclusive growth.
In view of this, Agama said, “SEC, through the aid of digital platform, is exploring the integration of blockchain technology for secure and transparent transaction processing to redefine trust in the market.”
He added that the oversubscription of most recapitalisation offers in 2024 reflects strong investor confidence.
To sustain this momentum, the director-general said that SEC had intensified efforts to enhance disclosure standards and corporate governance practices.
According to him, expanding financial literacy campaigns and collaborating with fintech companies to provide low-entry investment options will democratise access to the capital market.
He assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfastness in achieving its mission of creating an enabling environment for seamless and transparent capital formation.
“Our efforts are anchored on providing issuers with clear guidelines and maintaining open lines of communication with all market stakeholders, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks through digitalisation.
“We also ensure timely review and approval of applications, and enhancing regulatory oversight to protect investors while promoting market integrity,” he added.
Agama listed constraints to the exercise to include: addressing market volatility, systemic risks, limited retail participation as well as combating skepticism among investors who demand greater transparency and accountability.
He said: “We are equally presented with opportunities which include leveraging technology to deepen financial inclusion and enhance market liquidity.
“It also involves developing innovative financial products, such as green bonds and sukuk, to attract diverse investor segments.
“The success of recapitalisation efforts depends on collaboration among regulators, issuers, and investors.”
Speaking on market infrastructure at the panel session, Achile said SEC provides oversight to every operations in the market, ranging from technology innovations to market.
He stated that the commission is committed to transparency and being mindful of the benefits and risks associated with technology adoption.
Achile noted that SEC does due diligence to all the innovative ideas that comes into the market to ensure adequate compliance with the requirements.
On the rising unclaimed dividend figure, Achile blamed the inability of investors to comply with regulatory requirements and information gap.
He noted that SEC had done everything within its powers to ensure that investors receive their dividend at the appropriate time.
He, however, assured that the commission would continue to strengthen its dual role of market regulation and investor protection to boost confidence in the market.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of CAMCAN, Mrs Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma, said banks’ recapitalisation is not just a regulatory requirement, but an opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen the capital market, and drive sustainable growth.
Joel-Nwokeoma stated that the recent recapitalisation in the banking sector had brought to the fore the need for a more robust and inclusive capital market.
She added that as banks seek to strengthen their balance sheets and improve their capital adequacy ratios, it is imperative to create an environment that fosters trust, transparency, and cooperation between investors and issuers.
The chairman called for collaboration to bridge the gap between investors and issuers to create a more inclusive and vibrant Nigerian capital market.She said: “we must work together to strengthen corporate governance and risk management practices in banks, enhance disclosure and transparency requirements for issuers.” NAN
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