The Social Democratic Party has served the All Progressive Congress (APC) a copy of its petition filed to challenge the victory of Usman Ododo in the Kogi Election which was held on the 11th of November, 2023.
This was confirmed in a press statement released by the party’s legal team headed by Shuiabu Aruwa, SAN, and made available to SaharaReporters on Saturday.
According to the statement, APC and its candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo together with the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) were listed as the respondents of the petition.
The statement read, “The Kogi State Social Democratic party (SDP) governorship election Petition No:EPT/KG/03/2023 has been served on the All Progressive Congress ( APC), the APC governorship candidate , Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo and the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) who are respondents in the petition filed by Murtala Yakubu Ajaka and the Social Democratic Party ( SDP).
“Murtala Ajaka and the Social Democratic Party had earlier filed an ex parte application for an order of substituted service on the respondents after several attempts by the tribunal baliff to effect personal service proved abortive.”
According to an insider from the tribunal, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Yusuf A.B.K had on December 13, 2023 granted the order of substituted service to be served at the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Headquarters, Abuja, and the service was effected on Friday, 15th December, 2023.
“The respondents; the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Usman Ododo and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) however have 14 days to respond to the petition while the petitioner has 7 days outside the 14 days to reply on points of law. All will be set for the commencement of pre-hearing conference after the expiration of the said date.
According to Aruwa, the legal team of Ajaka and the Social Democratic Party would ensure efficient adjudication of the issues raised at the Kogi State governorship election and urged supporters and lovers of Murtala Ajaka, SDP, and Kogites to continue in prayers as they keep hope alive.”
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters earlier reported how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) moved the materials it used for the November 11 Kogi State governorship election from its office in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, to Abuja.
The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, gave the order against the background of the series of attacks on the commission’s office in Lokoja.
SaharaReporters had also reported how the Nigeria Police Force ordered an investigation into the attack on the residence of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hale Gabriel Longpet, in Lokoja.
SaharaReporters had also reported how the Nigeria Police Force ordered an investigation into the attack on the residence of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hale Gabriel Longpet, in Lokoja.
This had been confirmed by the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, in Lokoja in the first week of December.
The electoral materials were loaded in no fewer than four trucks on Friday afternoon under heavy security, as they departed for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The materials moved to Abuja include election results, BVAS and other relevant sensitive documents used in the election.