The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the election of Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor of Kogi State.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the decision followed a contentious legal battle initiated by Muritala Ajaka, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who challenged the election results on several grounds.
The case began when Ajaka and his party filed a petition alleging significant irregularities in the election process.
SDP accused the APC of over-voting, certificate forgery, and other electoral malpractices, seeking to overturn the election results that declared Ododo the winner.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, July 11, a panel of the Court of Appeal meticulously reviewed the evidence and arguments presented by both parties.
The court ultimately dismissed Ajaka’s appeal, describing it as unmeritorious. The judgment was comprehensive, addressing all four issues identified for determination.
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Firstly, the court found no substantial proof of over-voting, a key allegation by the appellants. Detailed scrutiny of the election materials and results failed to corroborate the claim that the number of votes cast exceeded the number of registered voters in the disputed areas.
Secondly, the accusation of certificate forgery was also dismissed. The court concluded that Ajaka and the SDP did not present sufficient evidence to prove that Usman Ododo had forged any documents related to his qualification for the governorship race.
Additionally, the court addressed other miscellaneous claims raised by the appellants, finding them either unsupported by evidence or irrelevant to the overall outcome of the election.
By resolving all issues against the appellants, the Court of Appeal affirmed the validity of Ododo’s election as the governor of Kogi State.
This judgment reinforces the position of the APC and underscores the legal robustness of the election process in Kogi State, as upheld by the judiciary.
The decision marks a significant point in Kogi State’s political landscape, solidifying Ododo’s governorship amidst challenges and underscoring the judiciary’s role in electoral disputes.
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