The Supreme Court has affirmed the victory of Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Nov. 11, 2023, governorship election held in Kogi.
A five-member panel of the apex court dismissed the appeal by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Muritala Ajaka, marked SC/CV/654/2024. Justice Sadiq Umar resolved all three issues identified for determination in the appeal against the appellants.
Appeal & Tribunal Vindicated
A three-member panel of the Appeal Court earlier upheld the decision of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. The appellate court held that the SDP and its governorship candidate, Ajaka, failed to prove the allegations in their appeal beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.
The court also dismissed the appeals filed by Action Alliance (AA) and its governorship candidate, Olayinka Braimoh, and that of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and its governorship candidate, Dr Abdullahi Bayawo, challenging Ododo’s victory.
Justice Onyekachi Otisi of the Appeal Court agreed with the election petition tribunal, erasing the evidence of the first prosecution witness (PW-1) called by the petitioners on the ground that the evidence tendered by the witness was documentary hearsay. She held that the petitioners’ witnesses were incompetent because their statements did not accompany the petition in accordance with electoral laws.
The tribunal had affirmed Gov. Ododo of APC’s victory in the Nov. 11, 2023 Kogi governorship poll. The three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, held that the petition was empty of substance and accordingly dismissed it. The panel unanimously held that all the witness evidence filed before needed to be more competent and consistent.
Today’s Supreme Court judgment upholds the decisions of both the Tribunal and the Appellate court.
In Nigeria, gubernatorial election matters end at the Supreme Court.
Victory For Yahaya Bello Too
The victory for Gov Ododo is also a major boost for former Governor Yahaya Bello, who is seen as a mentor and enabler of Ododo’s political rise.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian anti-corruption agency has invited Bello to answer to allegations of corruption, including the alleged misappropriation of funds up to N80 billion. There are claims that Bello is currently under the protection of Governor Ododo.
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