On Friday, the Supreme Court rejected the appeal brought by Muritala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, who had contested the outcome of the Kogi State governorship election held on November 11, 2023. The court’s five-member panel, in a unanimous decision, upheld the election of Usman Ododo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ajaka’s appeal sought to overturn the election results, citing alleged irregularities, but the Supreme Court found no merit in his claims and affirmed the validity of the electoral process, thereby confirming Ododo’s mandate as the legitimate governor of Kogi State.
In response to the ruling, Prince Adewole Adebayo, the SDP’s presidential candidate, expressed his dismay. “I am saddened by today’s judgment of the Supreme Court against the SDP in the Kogi governorship election. We have highlighted the pitfalls of our democracy and let posterity be the judge. A petition that has no error can only be filed in heaven with God Almighty. We march forward!” Adebayo stated.
With this judgment, the legal battle over the governorship election has come to a close, firmly establishing Ododo’s leadership as determined by the electorate in the November election.
Ajaka had sought to void the election results, alleging irregularities and urging the court to overturn Ododo’s win. However, the Supreme Court panel rejected Ajaka’s arguments and upheld the legitimacy of the election process, thereby confirming Ododo as the duly elected governor of Kogi State.
Reacting to the judgment, Prince Adewole Adebayo, the SDP presidential candidate, expressed his disappointment. “I am saddened by today’s judgment of the Supreme Court against the SDP in the Kogi governorship election. We have highlighted the pitfalls of our democracy and let posterity be the judge. A petition that has no error can only be filed in heaven with God Almighty. We march forward!” Adebayo said.
This ruling brings an end to the legal contest over the governorship election, solidifying Ododo’s position as the state’s leader as determined by the voters in the November election.