The Supreme Court has confirmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the validly elected governor of Kogi State, following the November 11, 2023, gubernatorial election.
In its ruling, the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Murtala Ajaka, who contested the election’s outcome, alleging significant non-compliance with the Electoral Act. However, in a unanimous decision, the five-member panel of justices determined that Ajaka failed to provide substantial evidence to support his claims.
The Supreme Court also upheld a prior decision by the Court of Appeal from May 27, which confirmed Ododo’s victory. The panel further clarified that allegations of age falsification and certificate forgery against Ododo were pre-election matters, and as such, they should have been brought before the Federal High Court, the appropriate body to address such issues.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Usman Ododo secured a total of 446,237 votes, defeating his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka, who polled 259,052 votes.
Earlier in March, the Supreme Court had issued a stay of execution on a Court of Appeal order that nullified the inspection of the BVAS machine, a request made by Ajaka. This interim stay was granted after Ajaka’s legal team sought to halt the implementation of the Appeal Court’s directive.
In May, the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja and led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, had already dismissed Ajaka’s petition, affirming Usman Ododo as the duly elected governor.
With the Supreme Court’s latest verdict, Usman Ododo’s position as the governor of Kogi State is now firmly secured.
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