The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed governor Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) as the dully elected Governor in an off-cycle election held in Kogi State on November 11, 2023 after dismissing the appeal filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and it’s candidate, Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, for lack of merit.
In a unanimous judgment, the Apex Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal which on May 27 affirmed the election of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The Court held that the allegation of substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act was not proven by the SDP governorship candidate.
It further added that the allegations of age falsification and certificate forgery are pre-election matters, noting it’s the Federal High Court that has jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
INEC had announced that Ododo polled a total of 446,237 votes to defeat Ajaka who came second with 259,052 votes.
Meanwhile the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the violent attacks on its supporters and the destruction of vehicles belonging to party members at the Supreme Court premises shortly after the judgement.
In a statement issued shortly after the judgement by Kingsley Fanwo, the Director, Media and Publicity,
Kogi APC Campaign Council , explained that the attacks reportedly began when supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) started hurling stones, bottles, and plastic containers at APC supporters and leaders immediately after the Supreme Court delivered its judgment affirming Governor Usman Ododo as the duly elected governor of Kogi State.
He said that during the ruling, the Court had advised all parties and their supporters present in the courtroom to remain seated until all matters before it were fully addressed.
According to the statement, the SDP candidate, Murtala Ajaka, ignored this advice and left the courtroom with his supporters as soon as the judgment was pronounced against him.
The media director stressed that upon noticing the jubilant APC members within the court premises, Ajaka’s supporters allegedly unleashed violence, attacking the celebrating APC members and causing significant disruption.
“The APC in Kogi State has condemned these actions, describing them as undemocratic and uncivilized.
“The party however thanked God for preserving the mandate of the people at the Supreme Court, promising to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to all Kogites in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu” the statement said.
