The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed Ahmed Usman Ododo’s election as the Governor of Kogi State, dismissing an appeal from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Muritala Ajaka.
The five-member panel unanimously ruled that the appeal lacked merit, confirming that Ododo won the election with 446,237 votes against Ajaka’s 259,052.
The court upheld previous decisions from both the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, which had also rejected claims of electoral irregularities.
In its judgement, the Supreme Court addressed several key issues raised by Ajaka, ruling that the evidence presented was insufficient to substantiate allegations of forgery and non-compliance with electoral laws.
The court emphasized that such claims must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, which Ajaka failed to do.
This ruling not only solidifies Ododo’s position but also reinforces the integrity of the electoral process in Kogi State, as affirmed by multiple judicial bodies.
Reactions to the ruling have been mixed, with the Progressive Governors Forum celebrating the decision as a victory for democracy and good governance.
They highlighted Ododo’s commitment to transparency and development in Kogi State, viewing the court’s affirmation as a reflection of the people’s trust in his leadership.
Conversely, critics, including members of the opposition, have expressed concerns that this ruling could set a dangerous precedent for future elections, potentially normalizing electoral malpractice in Nigeria’s political landscape