The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja has upheld the election of Governor Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11, 2023, gubernatorial poll.
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On Monday, a three-member panel led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu dismissed the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, citing lack of merit.
The tribunal found that the petitioners failed to substantiate their claims of over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act of 2022.
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The panel ruled unanimously that the evidence presented by the petitioners’ witnesses was inconsistent and therefore unreliable.
Furthermore, the tribunal agreed with the respondents that allegations of forgery brought up in the petition were pre-election issues that should have been addressed within 14 days of the documents being submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
During the November 11, 2023, off-cycle election, Ododo of the APC secured a decisive victory over his closest rival, Ajaka of the SDP.
Dissatisfied with the result, Ajaka lodged a petition challenging the election outcome.
The tribunal proceedings began in December 2023, culminating in the final written addresses by the parties involved on May 13. INEC, Governor Ododo, and the APC argued for the dismissal of Ajaka and the SDP’s petition, citing incompetence and lack of merit.
Represented by their legal counsel—Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN; Joseph Daudu, SAN; and Emmanuel Ukala, SAN—the respondents maintained that the petition did not hold substance.
In contrast, Ajaka’s lawyer, Pius Akubo, SAN, urged the tribunal to reject the respondents’ arguments and uphold the petition.
Ultimately, the tribunal sided with the respondents, affirming Governor Ododo’s election and dismissing the petition from the SDP and Murtala Ajaka.
