Tribunal affirms Ododo as Kogi governor, dismisses Ajaka’s case

The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on May 27, 2024, affirmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the valid winner of the gubernatorial contest that held in the state on November 11, 2023. The tribunal dismissed the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, against Ododo’s election victory.

Ajaka had challenged Ododo’s victory in the off-cycle election held on November 11, 2023, citing allegations of rigging and vote-buying. However, the tribunal ruled in favor of Ododo, stating that the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier declared Ododo as the winner of the election.

The tribunal’s decision is a significant milestone in the legal process, but it is not the final step. The petitioners have the option to appeal the tribunal’s judgment to the Court of Appeal and potentially the Supreme Court. This ruling is just one step in the legal hurdles Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has to cross before he can fully focus on governance.