The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Murtala Ajaka, has debunked reports that he has withdrawn the appeal he lodged to challenge the outcome of the last governorship election in Kogi State.
Ajaka, in a statement he made available to newsmen, said there was no truth in th claim that he dropped the legal action he initiated to void the election of Governor Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The SDP candidate said his legal team had earlier lodged a 32-ground of appeal at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.
“I am fully committed to pursuing the legal battle to regain the mandate that was freely given to us by the people of Kogi State.
“It would be a massive betrayal of our shared struggle, the impoverished workers, retirees and the people of Kogi State, as well as the memory of our comrades who were unlawfully killed, for me to even consider having any discussions to compromise this historic struggle.
“This fight is not just for me, but for the impoverished, terrorized, and dehumanized people of Kogi State, and for the families of those who were killed, injured, and forcibly disappeared.
“As you may be aware, our sagacious legal team has since filed thirty-two strong, compelling and arguable grounds of appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, well within the stipulated time.
“We have followed all the necessary legal procedures to ensure that our appeal is heard and determined within the given timeframe, and I am confident that we will be successful,” the statement further read.
It will be recalled that the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition had on May 27, affirmed Ododo as the winner of the gubernatorial contest that held in the state on November 11, 2023.
The Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu led three-member panel dismissed the petition that was brought before it by Ajaka of the SDP.
The tribunal held that Ajaka failed to prove his allegation that governor Ododo, did not secure the highest number of valid votes cast at the election.
It equally dismissed Ajaka’s allegation that the election was not only fraught with irregularities, but also conducted with substantial non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The tribunal held that it found no reason to dislodge the result the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared in favour of Ododo and the APC.
Dissatisfied with the judgement, Ajaka approached the appellate court to set it aside.
