The Kogi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, seated in Lokoja, has taken a significant turn as it adjourns indefinitely pending the completion of a crucial inspection of election materials requested by the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
At the resumed hearing, the SDP informed the tribunal that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was cooperating in facilitating materials inspection, as mandated by the tribunal’s order.
However, they sought additional time to finalize the examination process.
This development follows the tribunal’s order to INEC to provide certified copies of electoral materials within a 48-hour and permit the SDP’s forensic experts to scrutinize specific materials, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and result sheets from multiple local government areas.
The materials in question hold immense importance for the SDP’s case against the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11 off-cycle election in Kogi State.
Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, issued the order in response to ex-parte motions filed by the SDP and its gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu-Ajaka, on November 19.
However, challenges in obtaining certified copies of materials from INEC for some local government areas led to a delay, as highlighted by Mr John Adele (SAN), the lead counsel to the petitioners.
The SDP, alongside Muritala Yakubu-Ajaka, aims to contest the victory of the APC and its candidate, Alhaji Usman Ododo, at the election petitions tribunal. Ododo secured the election with 446,237 votes, while Yakubu-Ajaka garnered 259,052 votes.
