The Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has upheld the election victory of Ahmed Usman Ododo as Governor of the state.
The three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudo dismissed the petition filed by the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Murtala Ajaka.
Kogi, on 11 November 2023, held its off-cycle election in which Mr Ododo of the All Progressive Congress (APC) emerged winner beating his closest rival, Mr Ajaka, of the SDP by a wide margin.
Mr Ajaka, dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, filed a petition before the tribunal, challenging Mr Ododo’s victory.
The case, which commenced in December 2023, came to its highest point on 13 May when the SDP, Mr Ajaka, APC, Mr Ododo and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adopted their final written addresses, after which the tribunal reserved judgement in the petition.
More details later.
