The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has deferred its judgment on the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, challenging the victory of Governor Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During the proceedings on Monday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC, and Governor Ododo requested the tribunal to dismiss Ajaka’s petition, citing incompetence and lack of merit. This plea was presented by their respective legal representatives, Kanu Agabi, Joseph Daudu, and Emmanuel Ukala, as they concluded their final written arguments.
However, Ajaka’s counsel, Pius Akubo, urged the tribunal to disregard Ododo’s submissions and uphold their own.
After carefully considering the arguments of all parties involved, the tribunal, presided over by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, decided to defer the judgment to a later date, which will be communicated to all parties.
Governor Ododo, a close associate of former Governor Yahaya Bello, was declared the winner of the highly contested Kogi State Governorship Election held on November 11, 2023. INEC announced Ododo as the winner with a total of 446,237 votes, defeating his closest competitor, Murtala Ajaka of the SDP, who received 259,052 votes. Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured 46,362 votes.
