In Kogi, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Muritala Ajaka, filed the appeal against Governor Usman Ododo.
The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment on separate appeals seeking to annul the results of the Kogi and Bayelsa states governorship elections.
The five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Garba Lawal, on Monday adjourned the case after all parties presented their final arguments.
In Bayelsa, the appeal challenging Governor Douye Diri’s election was filed by Chief Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial poll.
In Kogi, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Muritala Ajaka, filed the appeal against Governor Usman Ododo.
Governor Diri’s legal team, led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, urged the court to dismiss Sylva’s appeal, arguing that it lacked merit. Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), represented by Chief Charles Edoshomwan, SAN, and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) counsel, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, supported the call for dismissal.
On the other hand, Sylva’s legal team, led by Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, requested the court to overturn the decisions of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, both of which upheld Governor Diri’s election.
INEC had declared Governor Diri the winner with 175,196 votes, defeating Sylva, who garnered 110,108 votes. Sylva challenged the results, arguing that votes from three Local Government Areas (LGAs) were wrongfully excluded.
He claimed that if the results from Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, and Nembe LGAs had been included, he would have won.
Sylva also contended that Governor Diri did not secure the highest number of valid votes and that the election did not comply with the Electoral Act.
His claims were dismissed by both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal, which imposed a fine of N500,000 on him.
In Kogi, SDP candidate Ajaka asked the Supreme Court to overturn the tribunal and appellate court rulings that dismissed his petition against Governor Ododo.
INEC had declared Ododo the winner with 446,237 votes, defeating Ajaka’s 259,052 votes.
Ajaka sought to nullify Ododo’s Certificate of Return and demanded a new election in five LGAs. He also accused the APC candidate of submitting forged documents and alleged over-voting.
The tribunal, however, dismissed these claims, ruling that the petition lacked competence and that the evidence presented was insufficient.
The Supreme Court, before reserving its judgment, rejected Ajaka’s request for a full panel of seven justices to hear his case. The court will communicate the date of the judgment to all parties involved.
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