BREAKING: Supreme Court upholds Usman Ododo’s victory in Kogi State Governorship election

The Supreme Court has confirmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the legitimate winner of the Kogi State governorship election held on November 11, 2023.

This ruling is a significant blow to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Muritala Ajaka, who had contested the election results.

The five-member panel, led by Justice Sadiq Umar, dismissed the appeal filed by the SDP and Ajaka, ruling that it lacked merit. The court resolved all three issues raised by the appellants in favor of Ododo and the APC.

This decision follows an earlier ruling by the Appeal Court, which upheld the judgment of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. On July 11, the appellate court ruled that the SDP and Ajaka had failed to prove their claims of election irregularities and forgery beyond a reasonable doubt.

The tribunal had previously upheld Ododo’s victory, rejecting claims of over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.

The tribunal’s and the Supreme Court’s rulings have consistently affirmed the legitimacy of Ododo’s win, dismissing the challenges presented by Ajaka and the SDP.