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Tag: Fintiri

  • Supreme Court dismisses SDP’s appeal against Fintiri’s election

    Supreme Court dismisses SDP’s appeal against Fintiri’s election

    The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed an appeal by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate in Adamawa State, Umar Ardo, against the election of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    A five-member panel led by Justice John Okoro ruled after the appellants’ lawyer, Mr Sylvester Imhanobe, applied to withdraw the case, marked: SC/CV/1219/2023.

    The justices noted that the appeal did not raise any major issue requiring adjudication.

    The apex court also dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fintiri, marked: SC/CV/1220/2023 given the withdrawal of the main appeal by Ardo.

    The court has also reserved judgments in two appeals against Abia State Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP).

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    After the appeals were argued by lawyers to parties, Justice Okoro announced judgments in both appeals are reserved till a date to be communicated to parties.

    The first appeal, marked: SC/CV/1250/2023 was filed by Okechukwu Ahiwe and the PDP.

    The second, marked: SC/CV/1252/2023, is by Ikechi Emenike and the APC.

    Lawyer to the appellants in the first appeal, Uche Ihediwa (SAN), prayed the court to allow the appeal and set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal which affirmed Otti’s election.

    Ihediwa argued that the lower courts failed to accord the appellant a fair hearing.

    He also claimed that the election tribunal and the Court of Appeal did not properly evaluate his clients’ evidence.

    The respondents – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), LP and Otti urged the court to dismiss the appeal.

    Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) for the LP and Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for Otti faulted Ihediwa’s case.

    They argued that the lower courts were right in their findings that the appellants failed to provide credible evidence to support their case.

    Immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) argued the appeal by Emenike and the APC.

    According to him, his clients’ appeal seeks to disqualify the candidates of the LP, PDP, and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) because they were not properly nominated and sponsored for the election.

    Malami argued that the candidates were not members of the parties when they contested the election, violating Section 177 of the Constitution.

    He prayed the court to allow the appeal, set aside the judgments of the tribunal and the Court of Appeal and grant all the reliefs sought.

    Counsel for the respondents, including Omosanya Popoola (for the second respondent) and Nnamdi Ahaaiwe (for the seventh respondent), faulted Malami’s argument.

    Lawyer to the PDP and Ahiwe (fourth and fifth respondents), Mrs. Udochi Iheanacho, said Ahiwe was qualified and fulfilled all the requirements to be sponsored as the candidate for the election.

    Mrs Iheanacho added that Ahiwe resigned 30 days before the election as constitutionally required.

    All the respondents (seven in all) urged the court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the concurrent decisions of the two lower courts. 

  • Fintiri signs N225bn Adamawa’s 2024 budget into law

    Fintiri signs N225bn Adamawa’s 2024 budget into law

    Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has signed the state’s N225.8 billion appropriation bill for the 2024 fiscal year.

    Fintiri signed the bill on Friday, December 29, following its approval about 10 days ago, December 19, by the state House of Assembly.

    In his remark during the budget signing ceremony at the Government House in Yola, Governor Fintiri thanked members of the State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the appropriation bill and assured them that his administration will continue to maintain the cordial relationship with the Legislature.

    Read Also: Fintiri’s wife calls for renewal of hope

    He said he would implement the budget with utmost dedication, assuring also that development across the state would be so spread out that every local government area would get projects worth at least a billion naira.

    Present to lend a hand to Fintiri during the budget signing was the state Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Wesley Bathiya; some other members of the Assembly, and many commissioners and other members of Fintiri’s cabinet.

    Fintiri had submitted the budget as an executive bill earlier in the month, on December 8; and the Assembly passed it on December 19 with hardly any alteration.

  • Fintiri’s wife calls for renewal of hope

    Fintiri’s wife calls for renewal of hope

    Wife of Adamawa State Governor, Mrs Lami Fintiri, has felicitated Christian faithful on 2023 Christmas celebration and called for renewal of hope in 2024.

    Mrs Fintiri stated this in a message issued by her Press Secretary, Clara Mustafa, in Yola yesterday.

    She reflected on the significance of the celebration as a time of renewal, hope, compassion and extends her warmest greetings to all who partake in the festivities.

    “As families come together to exchange gifts, share meals and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I encourages all to embrace the values of unity, kindness and solidarity,” she said.

    Mrs Fintiri called on the people of the state to spread goodwill and harmony within their communities, fostering a sense of togetherness and understanding among people of diverse backgrounds.

    Read Also: Adamawa: Appeal Court affirms Fintiri’s election victory

    “I extend my heartfelt prayers for a joyous, peaceful and blessed Christmas for every family and individual in Adamawa State.

    “And acknowledges the challenges that many have faced throughout the year and hopes that this festive season will bring comfort, healing and a renewed sense of optimism to all,” she said.

    The governor’s wife expressed optimism for a brighter future for the people in the state and county at large in 2024.

    She emphasised the importance of unity and cooperation in overcoming obstacles and building a stronger and prosperous community for all.

    “I encourage everyone to approach the new year with hope, determination and a commitment to collective progress,” she urged.

  • Adamawa: Appeal Court affirms Fintiri’s election victory

    Adamawa: Appeal Court affirms Fintiri’s election victory

    The Appeal Court in Abuja yesterday affirmed the victory of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

    The appellate court affirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate won the March 18 governorship election.

    In a unanimous verdict, the three-member panel of the court, presided over by Justice Tunde Awotoye, dismissed the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Aishatu Dahiru (Binani).

    Dahiru’s appeal was against an earlier judgment delivered by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which had equally affirmed Fintiri’s victory in the election.

    Justice Ebiowei Tobi, who read the judgment, averred that the appeal by Dahiru was faulty.

    Justice Tobi said the record of appeal, containing the proceedings at the trial tribunal, was incompletely transmitted.

    He held that the trial tribunal was right to have held that the evidence of the first three witnesses of the appellants (who were petitioners before the tribunal) were hearsay, which is inadmissible.

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    Justice Tobi added: “On the whole, this appeal lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed. 

    “The decision of the lower tribunal is hereby confirmed.”

    The court awarded N100,000 as cost against the appellants and the money is to be paid to Fintiri and the PDP.

    The APC candidate lost at the tribunal in a judgment delivered in Yola, the state capital, last October. 

    The chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice Theodora Obi-Uloho, held, among others, that the petitioners failed to prove their case.

    Justice Obi-Uloho dismissed the petition on the grounds that it lacked the relevant legal ingredients on which the tribunal could upturn Fintiri’s victory.

  • Appeal court victory: We’re one big family, Fintiri’s deputy tells Adamawa people

    Appeal court victory: We’re one big family, Fintiri’s deputy tells Adamawa people

    The deputy governor of Adamawa State, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, has dedicated the victory of his principal at the Court of Appeal to all the people of Adamawa State.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday, December 18, affirmed the election of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, dismissing the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election, Senator Aishatu Ahmed (Binani).

    Fintiri was not in Adamawa when news of the Appeal Court victory hit the state Monday afternoon.

    Speaking to newsmen in her office in Yola on the appeal court victory, Kaletapwa Farauta said the victory is for all the people of Adamawa state irrespective of whatever party they profess.

    She said: “We all must work on Adamawa together. Let us collapse party lines and work as one people,” Farauta told Binani, her supporters, and all opposition forces.”

    She stressed that Adamawa state is one big family and party politics should not be allowed to cause division.

    By affirming Ahmadu Fintiri as governor of Adamawa state during its Monday sitting, the Court of Appeal upheld the judgment of the Adamawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which last month Okayed Fintiri’s victory in the March 2023 governorship election.

    Binani had, in response to the decision of the tribunal, approached the Court of Appeal which, at its sitting Monday morning held that Binani and her party failed to call polling agents who participated in the conduct of the election as witnesses.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Appeal Court affirms Fintiri’s election as Adamawa governor

    The court said the three witnesses called to establish malpractices in 21 LGAs were not part agents but campaign coordinators who gave mere hearsay evidence.

    The court added that the brief of argument filed by Binani and APC was incompetent, just as the records of appeal transmitted to the court were insufficient.

    Referencing how suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner Hudu Yunusa-Ari announced a winner in the governorship election process that was yet to be concluded, the court blamed the commissioner for taking over the function of a returning officer and going ahead to declare Binani as the winner.

    The court also faulted Binani for making a case for the commissioner, saying: “In the eyes of the law, the Resident Electoral Commissioner is on his own. He should be allowed to take responsibility for his illegal and unlawful act.”

  • BREAKING: Appeal Court affirms Fintiri’s election as Adamawa governor

    BREAKING: Appeal Court affirms Fintiri’s election as Adamawa governor

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday, December 18, affirmed Ahmadu Fintiri as governor of Adamawa state.

    Read Also: 2024: Fintiri presents N225.8b budget to Adamawa Assembly

    It also upheld the judgment of the Adamawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that affirmed the win of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.

    Details shortly…

  • 2024: Fintiri presents N225.8b budget to Adamawa Assembly

    2024: Fintiri presents N225.8b budget to Adamawa Assembly

    Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has presented a N225.8 billion budget proposal for the 2024 fiscal year.

    The proposal, dubbed ‘Budget of Re-engineering and Continuity,’ is intended to build on achievements in the past years for enhanced economic growth, increased infrastructure, and more wealth for citizens, according to the governor

    Presenting the budget to the state lawmakers in Yola on Friday, the governor announced ₦225,893,690,626.00 as the total 2024 proposed annual budget towards the financing of both the recurrent and capital development programmes.

    He announced the sum of 111,379,586,126.00; which represents 49.5% of the total proposed estimate for recurrent services.

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    “The balance of 114,514,104,500.00 which represents 51.7% of the total proposed budget is earmarked for Capital Development Programmes and Services,” the governor told the Adamawa lawmakers.

    According to him, the state would spend N25,535,000,000.00 on roads infrastructure; N15,603,000.00 on education, and N6,388,000,000.00 on health; being the highest among sectional allocations.

    Speaking on plans to raise revenues for the state, Fintiri said, “We will increase our efforts to considerably boost IGR by extending prospects for additional investment, industrialization, and effective tax collection.”

    Responding to Fintiri’s presentation, Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Wesley Bathiya, said he observed that the governor had developed a reliable strategy for development through careful resource allocation.

    The speaker said he and other members of the Assembly would do their part in efforts to enhance the development of the state.

    Governor Ahmadu Fintiri presenting the 2024 annual budget proposal at the Adamawa State House of Assembly on Friday.

  • Fintiri presents N225.8bn 2024 budget for Adamawa

    Fintiri presents N225.8bn 2024 budget for Adamawa

    Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa on Friday presented N225.8 billion Appropriation Bill to the state House of Assembly for 2024 fiscal year.

    The budget is higher than N175 billion approved for 2023.

    Presenting the budget tagged: “Budget of Re-engineering”, Fintiri said it would focus on the development of critical infrastructure in the state.

    He said the estimate included N114.5 billion capital expenditure representing 51 per cent and N111.3 recurrent expenditure representing 49.5 per cent.

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    The governor said the budget would be finance from N68.3 billion statutory allocation; N22.2 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), N16 billion exchange rate difference, N1 billion ecological fund, N47.7 billion Value Added Tax (VAT), among others.

    Finitiri said the budget would provide necessary funds to fast track infrastructure development in critical sectors such as education, security, health and social services.

    The Speaker, Mr Wesley Bahtaya said the legislators would ensure speedy passage of the bill.

    While commending the governor over the full implementation of the 2023 budget, Bahtaya attributed the cordial working relationship between the executive and the legislature to strict adherence to the principles of separation of powers.

    (NAN)

  • Fintiri announces N10,000 monthly bonus for NYSC members in Adamawa

    Fintiri announces N10,000 monthly bonus for NYSC members in Adamawa

    Adamawa governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has announced a N10,000 monthly bonus for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the state.

    He said the fresh bonus will be an improvement of N20,000 that the state government currently gives once in a service year to every NYSC member who successfully completes the service in the state.

    The new N10,000 monthly pay is to take effect from January next year.

    Governor Fintiri announced the gesture Tuesday, November 28, at the orientation camp of the 2023 Batch C Stream Two deployment, comprising 1,340 corps members posted to the state.

    Read Also: Fintiri reconciles feuding police, military operatives

    Explaining that the bonus is part of the magnanimity of his administration to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, Fintiri also announced a donation of 50 bags of rice, 10 bulls and 10 jerricans of cooking oil for the orientation camping of the newly deployed corps members.

    He said: “My dear compatriots, congratulations on your successful graduation from your respective institutions of learning which qualified you for mobilization into this noble scheme.”

    He urged them to see their deployment and orientation camping as an opportunity to discover their talents, adding, “Grab this golden opportunity with both hands.”

    Speaking earlier, the state commissioner of youths and sports, Wali Yakubu who is also the state chairman of the NYSC Governing Board, encouraged the corps members to participate fully in all training sessions during the camping period and be determined to become employers of labour instead of being job seekers.

  • Fintiri reconciles feuding police, military operatives

    Fintiri reconciles feuding police, military operatives

    Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has reconciled police and military personnel who engaged in bloody confrontations on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

    The governor called an emergency meeting on Wednesday night where the state Commissioner of Police, Afolabi Babatola and Commander of the 23 Armoured Brigade Yola, Brigadier General Gambo Mohammed committed themselves to a peaceful inter-agency relationship.

    Addressing journalists after the emergency security meeting which took place at the Government House, Yola, Governor Fintiri said the security heads in the state had vowed to work in synergy for the interest of Adamawa and Nigeria.

    Read Also: Gov Fintiri reconciles feuding police, military operatives in Adamawa

    The governor said both the military and police lost one officer each and others sustained injuries.

    He said: “We are just coming out of the state high command strategic meeting where all the issues between the two concerned state commands were discussed extensively and resolved. We all agreed that our common concern should be the peace and security of the state.

    “We have taken note of the men on both sides that lost their lives and those who were injured. The understanding now is that the heads of the sister security agencies are on top of their men and this kind of thing will not happen again.”

    He called for restraint among all security agents, assuring all citizens that they were safe to go about their normal businesses.