Murtala Ajaka Calls for Investigation After Attack Following Supreme Court Verdict
Murtala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Kogi State for the November 11, 2023, election, has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate a vicious attack on him and his supporters by thugs. The incident occurred on Friday at the Supreme Court in Abuja, shortly after a five-member panel of justices dismissed his appeal challenging the election victory of Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement released on Saturday, Ajaka condemned the attack, describing it as “an assault on democracy itself.” He urged the Inspector General of Police and security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, stressing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the democratic process.
Ajaka expressed his disappointment with the Supreme Court’s judgment, which affirmed Ododo as the winner of the gubernatorial election. Although he stated his respect for the court’s role in upholding the rule of law, he rejected the outcome of the judgment, noting that it had left many questions unanswered and further eroded public trust in the judiciary.
“The world has witnessed the miscarriage of justice in our nation’s judiciary system, and we cannot help but feel a deep sense of disappointment and disillusionment,” Ajaka said.
Despite his grievances, Ajaka acknowledged that there were no further legal options available and pledged to abide by the decision of the apex court. He extended his gratitude to his legal and media teams for their efforts and commitment to reclaiming what he referred to as his “stolen mandate.”
Addressing his supporters, Ajaka acknowledged their pain and disappointment but encouraged them to remain strong and prepare for the 2027 election. He emphasized the need to regroup and come back stronger in the future.
Ajaka also shifted his focus to supporting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in holding outgoing Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello accountable, promising to provide necessary support to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
He concluded by stating that while this chapter is closed, the fight for justice and good governance in Kogi State will continue.