Tribunal declares Usman Ododo winner of Kogi gov. election
Story from Usman UMAR
Murtala Ajaka, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the governorship race in Kogi State, has faced a setback as the Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja rejected his case challenging Governor Usman Ododo’s victory as Kogi State Governor.
The tribunal gave its decision on Monday, May 27, throwing out Ajaka’s appeal.
The legal action stemmed from the controversial election held on November 11, 2023, which was tainted by accusations of manipulation and bribery.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the disputed election, Ajaka and the SDP disputed the outcome, alleging irregularities and seeking to reverse the results.
READ ALSO: INEC urges Kogi Tribunal to dismiss SDP’s petition against Gov. Ododo
During a critical session on Friday, April 26, lawyers for INEC, Ododo, and the APC opposed Ajaka’s attorney, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), trying to present Edidiong Udoh, a digital forensic expert, as a witness.
Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), Alex Iziyon (SAN), and Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), representing INEC, Ododo, and the APC respectively, argued that the expert’s name was not included in the initial evidence and his statement was not submitted with the appeal.
Additionally, the respondents claimed that they received the expert’s report only 20 minutes before the start of the hearing, stating that it was insufficient notice.
Despite Okutepa’s arguments that the forensic expert was mentioned in the petition and that his statement was included at the beginning, the tribunal ruled against the petitioners.
It is uncertain whether Ajaka and the SDP will seek further legal options at the Court of Appeal.
