Supreme Court Upholds Usman Ododo as Kogi Governor, Dismisses SDP’s Appeal
In a judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court held that the appeal by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and candidate Yakubu Muritala Ajaka, marked: SC/CV/654/2024 was without merit and proceeded to dismiss it.
The Supreme Court has affirmed Ahmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the last governorship election held in Kogi State on November 11, 2023.
In a judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court held that the appeal by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and candidate Yakubu Muritala Ajaka, marked: SC/CV/654/2024 was without merit and proceeded to dismiss it.
Justice Sadiq Umar, who authored and read the lead judgment resolved all the three issues identified for determination in the appeal against the appellants.
SaharaReporters had reported that the Supreme Court on Monday reserved its judgment on Ajaka’s appeal to annul Ododo’s election, and subsequently adjourned the case after all parties presented their final arguments.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Muritala Ajaka, had filed an appeal marked SC/CV/654/2024, against Governor Ododo.
Ajaka had asked the Supreme Court to overturn the tribunal and appellate court rulings that dismissed his petition against Governor Ododo.
INEC had declared Ododo the winner with 446,237 votes, defeating Ajaka’s 259,052 votes.
Ajaka sought to nullify Ododo’s Certificate of Return and demanded a new election in five LGAs. He also accused the APC candidate of submitting forged documents and alleged over-voting.
The tribunal, however, dismissed these claims, ruling that the petition lacked competence and that the evidence presented was insufficient.
