JUST IN: Kogi Tribunal Upholds Governor Ododo’s Victory, Dismisses SDP’s Petition

The Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja upheld the election victory of Governor Usman Ododo, dismissing the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka.

The off-cycle election, held on November 11, 2023, was marred by allegations of rigging and vote-buying. Despite these claims, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.

Ajaka and the SDP contested the results, leading to the tribunal setting May 27 as the date for its judgment. In the proceedings, INEC, Ododo, and the APC were listed as the first, second, and third respondents, respectively.

During the hearings, legal representatives from both sides presented their final written addresses. The petitioners faced a significant setback when their attempt to introduce a digital forensic expert witness, Edidiong Udoh, was opposed by the respondents’ lawyers. Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), Alex Iziyon (SAN), and Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), representing INEC, Ododo, and the APC, argued that the witness was not properly listed in the petitioners’ proof of evidence, and the witness statement was not submitted in accordance with procedural rules.

Despite the arguments from Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), counsel for the petitioners, that the forensic expert was mentioned in the petition, the tribunal ultimately ruled in favour of Ododo, reinforcing his position as the duly elected governor of Kogi State.