Tribunal affirms Ododo as Kogi governor, dismisses Ajaka's petition

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

INEC presents certificates of return to Kogi Governor-Elect, Usman Ododo, Deputy

Usman Ododo, Kogi State governor-elect

The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has affirmed Usman Ododo as the governor of Kogi State.

The tribunal on Monday upheld the election of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and dismissed the petition of Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, held that the SDP and its governorship candidate, Ajaka, failed to prove their allegations against the respondents. Birnin-Kudu stated that the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced Ododo, the APC candidate, as the winner of the Kogi governorship election held on November 11, 2023.

Ododo polled 446,237 votes, defeating Ajaka (second place with 259,052 votes) and Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (who scored 46,362 votes).

Taofeek Oyedokun

Taofeek Oyedokun is a correspondent at BusinessDay with years of experience reporting on political economy, public policy, migration, environment/climate change, and social justice. A graduate of Political Science from the University of Lagos, he has also earned multiple professional certificates in journalism and media-related training. Known for his clear, data-driven reporting, Oyedokun covers a wide range of national and international socioeconomic issues, bringing depth, balance, and public-interest focus to his work.