Senator Abubakar Ohere has rejected the tribunal’s decision which declared Natasha Akpoti as the winner of the Feb. 25 senatorial election in Kogi Central.
Ohere (APC – Kogi Central) said he will appeal the judgment of the election tribunal that voided his victory on Wednesday, September 6.
The APC federal lawmaker expressed worry over the tribunal’s position that as a respondent, he should have filed a cross-petition to be able to challenge votes in an election petition.
In his opinion, the decision is contrary to Paragraph 15 of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2022.
Calling on his supporters to still have hope in the Court of Appeal where he intends to take his grievances, Ohere stated:
“As a matter of fact, I presented before the Tribunal through my team of lawyers, a decision of the Appellate Court which held that a respondent does not need to file a cross-petition to challenge votes in an election petition if the ground for challenging the election is majority of lawful votes.
“While I am waiting for my team of lawyers to give me full details on the judgment, I urge all my supporters to be calm and peaceful as their mandate is not lost.
“I know that I have the option of appeal which I shall exercise after due consultation with my lawyers.
“I am confident that we shall triumph at the next floor of justice by pointing to areas where we strongly disagree with the ruling. Your mandate shall be protected.”
