JUST IN: Kogi SDP Candidate, Supporters Protest Election Outcome at INEC Headquarters

Muritala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the recently concluded Kogi State governorship election, led hundreds of supporters to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. The protest aimed to express dissatisfaction with the conduct and results of the election, where INEC declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Ahmed Usman Ododo, as the winner with 446,237 votes.

The SDP candidate and his supporters demanded the resignation of INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, or the declaration of Ajaka as the winner within the seven-day window provided for scrutiny. Observers noted heavy security at the INEC headquarters during the protest.

Ajaka, who secured second place with 259,052 votes, alleged rigging and criticized the acceptance of results in Kogi Central, citing overvoting across its five local government areas. Expressing concern for the country’s stability, he warned of potential anarchy if the election results were allowed to stand.

During an appearance on Channels TV’s ‘The 2023 Verdict: Off-Cycle Elections,’ Ajaka emphasized the need for INEC to thoroughly investigate the irregularities, expressing disappointment and stating that challenging the outcome in court would be futile given the potential role of INEC officials as witnesses.

“If the INEC chairman allows this to stand, they are looking for trouble in Nigeria. You gave me assurance that the election would be transparent, only for you to write the results,” Ajaka asserted, highlighting the risk of unrest if such issues persisted across the country.