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In a highly anticipated decision, the Kogi State governorship election tribunal has announced that it will deliver its final ruling on the dispute regarding the outcome of the November 11, 2023 polls on Monday, May 27.
The three-man tribunal, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, revealed this information in a communication sent to the parties involved in the suit.
The dispute centers on the victory of Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with 446,237 votes.
Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and his party have challenged Ododo’s victory, claiming that the results were not accurate.
Ajaka came in second with 259,052 votes, while Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 46,362 votes.
The SDP and Ajaka have approached the tribunal and filed petitions to challenge the victory of Ododo. Lawyers representing the parties in the petition made their final submissions and adopted their written addresses on May 13.
In their submission, Ododo, INEC, and APC have urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition by Ajaka and the SDP, arguing that it lacks merit.
The upcoming ruling is expected to bring clarity and finality to the dispute, which has been a point of contention in Kogi State politics.
As the parties await the tribunal’s decision, the political atmosphere in the state remains tense, with supporters of both sides eager to see the outcome.
The tribunal’s decision will not only impact the political landscape of Kogi State but also serve as a precedent for future electoral disputes in Nigeria.
The ruling is expected to be closely watched by political observers and legal experts alike, as it will set the tone for how electoral disputes are handled in the country.
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