Court of Appeal Upholds Governor Ododo’s Election in Kogi State

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the election of Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor of Kogi State. The three-member panel of justices delivered their judgment on Thursday, concurring with the state election tribunal’s earlier decision. The tribunal had ruled that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, failed to substantiate their allegations against Ododo.

The appellate court found that the statements from the petitioners’ witnesses were inadmissible, as they did not comply with electoral law requirements by not being submitted alongside the petition. Additionally, the court determined that the accusation of certificate forgery against Ododo was a pre-election matter that should have been initiated at the Federal High Court.

Consequently, the Court of Appeal concluded that the appellants could not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, thereby upholding Ododo’s election victory.

The Social Democratic Party and Murtala Ajaka had filed a petition against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ododo, and the APC, listed as the first to third respondents respectively.