On Friday, the Federal High Court in Yola, Adamawa State, declared Aishatu Ahmed (Binani) bid for governor of the state as the All Progressive Congress’s candidate invalid.
The court determined that Binani’s candidacy was illegal and illegitimate based on the lawsuit FHC/YL/CS/12/2022 Mallam Nuhu Ribadu filed.
In his ruling, Justice Abdulaaziz Anka rejected the request for a new primary, noting that the APC did not have a candidate for the 2023 governorship election.
Justice Anka reached his conclusion after settling all the pertinent questions pertaining to the results of the May 26, 2022, Adamawa APC governorship primary.
He further claimed that the primary election violated the party rules, the nation’s constitution, and the 2022 Electoral Act.
Because there was “manifest overvoting,” the judge ruled that the nomination of Sen. Aishatu Ahmed, also known as Binani, was clearly in violation of Section 85 of the Electoral Act.
”My findings are that there’s non-compliance to the Electoral Act, as well as party guidelines and the constitution because there was manifest overvoting, which has been proved beyond a reasonable doubt”. Anka said.
“The first defendant (APC) cannot field a candidate for the 2023 general elections; the primary election is invalid, and the court therefore sees the return of Aishatu Ahmed Binani as unlawful. The plea for fresh elections is hereby refused.”
This comes after reports stated that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu requested that Aishatu Ahmed Binani be disqualified when he appeared before the court on June 9.
Binani won the APC governorship primary on May 26 by defeating five other candidates, including Nuhu Ribadu, the first boss of Anti Graft Agency, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
However, the court has made provision for the party to appeal its decision within the 30-day term that is provided to them.
