SDP Candidate Appeals Tribunal Decision on Kogi Governorship

• The Social Democratic Party and candidate Murtala Ajaka appealed the tribunal’s decision confirming Ahmed Usman Ododo as Kogi State Governor
• The appeal seeks to overturn the judgement, arguing Ododo was unqualified and declaring Ajaka the election winner

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, have appealed the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s judgement, which confirmed Ahmed Usman Ododo as the governor.

The June 14 appeal, led by counsel Pius Akubo (SAN), was filed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja. SDP and Ajaka argue that the tribunal’s decision led to a miscarriage of justice in determining the November 11, 2023 election winner.

The appellants requested the appellate court to overturn the previous judgement favouring the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ododo and instead declare Ajaka the election winner.

Additionally, SDP and Ajaka seek to invalidate the judgement delivered by the panel led by Justice Ado Yusuf Birnin Kudu on May 27. They request the restoration of their first witness’s testimony and other documents submitted to prove alleged over-voting in the election.

The appellants also contend that Ododo was not qualified to run for Governor of Kogi State and that all votes attributed to Ododo and the APC should be considered wasted.

They submitted “An order granting the reliefs sought by the appellants in the petition and declaring him (the 1st Appellant) as the duly elected governor of Kogi State.”

The tribunal had dismissed SDP’s witnesses and documents due to inconsistencies in their evidence and improper demonstration. The appellants now hope the Court of Appeal will reevaluate these elements and deliver a favourable judgement.