Abuja, Nigeria – The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the election of Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, dismissing the appeal filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka. The appeal sought to overturn the judgment of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had declared Ododo the duly elected governor.
The SDP and Ajaka contended that the tribunal’s decision was a miscarriage of justice and requested the Court of Appeal to nullify Ododo’s election and declare them the rightful winners. They also called for the invalidation of all votes cast for Ododo and the All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that Ododo was not qualified to contest the election.
However, the Court of Appeal dismissed these claims, upholding the tribunal’s ruling and confirming Ododo’s election as the legitimate governor of Kogi State. This decision represents a substantial setback for the SDP and Ajaka’s efforts to challenge the results of the November 11, 2023, governorship election in Kogi State.
The affirmation of Governor Ododo’s election by the Court of Appeal reinforces the initial ruling of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, solidifying Ododo’s position as the duly elected governor of Kogi State.