The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the November 11, 2023, Kogi State governorship election, Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, challenging the judgement of the State Election Petition Tribunal that affirmed Ahmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor.
In the appeal, Ajaka argued that the tribunal’s judgement was a miscarriage of justice, insisting that he and his party won the election and should be declared the rightful winner.
The appeal is based on 31 grounds, including the tribunal’s ruling, the competence of witnesses, over-voting, Ododo’s qualification, and prayers for consequential orders.
Ajaka’s legal team, led by Pius Akubo (SAN), submitted that the tribunal’s judgement agreed that Ajaka filed his case within the stipulated time frame, but disagreed with the tribunal’s decision to strike out his case despite agreeing that there was over-voting and rigging during the election.
Ajaka expressed optimism that the Court of Appeal will vindicate his team and grant him the reliefs sought, declaring him the duly elected governor of Kogi State.
He praised his legal team for their professionalism and tenacity. He said, “They meticulously gathered evidence, scrutinised data and presented a compelling case to the tribunal. Unfortunately, the tribunal despite agreeing to the embarrassing over-voting and rigging exercise, struck our case out.
“These lawyers did not fail us. We are very optimistic that they will be vindicated by the end of the petition. I can assure you that this judgment will not stand the test of time. Yes, we may have lost the battle at the Tribunal but the war is far from over. Our stolen mandate and our voice will not be silenced”.
The appeal was filed on June 14, 2024.
