The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgment on the appeal filed by Muritala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the November 11, 2023, Kogi governorship election, challenging the decision of the state election petition tribunal. The tribunal had upheld the victory of Ahmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and dismissed Ajaka’s petition.
On July 4, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal heard final submissions from the parties' lawyers. Kanu Agabi (SAN), representing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urged the court to dismiss the appeal, citing inconsistencies and insufficient evidence presented by Ajaka and the SDP.
Joseph Daudu (SAN), Ododo’s lawyer, argued that the tribunal correctly dismissed the evidence provided by Ajaka’s first witness and that the allegations of over-voting were unproven. He also stated that forgery claims related to pre-election matters had already been settled by the Supreme Court.
Ajaka’s lawyer, Pius Akubo (SAN), maintained that the tribunal's judgment was a miscarriage of justice and called for Ajaka to be declared the rightful winner. The court will deliver its judgment on a date to be communicated to the parties.
