Kogi Election: Tribunal Upholds Governor Ododo’s Victory, Dismisses SDP, Murtala Ajaka’s Petition

The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja has confirmed Usman Ododo as the rightful winner of the November 11, 2023, gubernatorial election on Monday.

The three-member panel, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, dismissed the petition filed by Murtala Ajaka, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The tribunal ruled that Ajaka failed to substantiate his claim that Ododo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, did not receive the highest number of valid votes in the election.

Additionally, the tribunal rejected Ajaka’s allegations that the election was marred by irregularities and conducted in substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.

The tribunal stated that it found no grounds to overturn the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in favor of Ododo and the APC.

INEC had announced that Ododo secured 446,237 votes, defeating Ajaka, who garnered 259,052 votes. Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came in a distant third with 46,362 votes.

While Melaye did not contest the election results, Ajaka sought to invalidate the Certificate of Return issued to Ododo by the APC.