Supreme Court reserves judgement in Kogi, Bayelsa gov election disputes

Supreme Court reserves judgement in Kogi, Bayelsa gov election disputes 

 

The Supreme Court on Monday concluded hearing in the governorship election disputes of Kogi and Bayelsa states and reserved judgment till a later date.

The ruling was on the appeals filed by Muritala Ajaka of the Kogi State’s Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Timipre Sylva of the Bayelsa’s All Progressives Congress (APC).

Both Ajaka and Sylva had challenged the declarations made by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) on the outcome of the 2023 governorship elections in their respective states.

Ajaka had appealed the judgment of a three-member tribunal that affirmed the election of Ahmed Usman Ododo of APC as governor of Kogi.

However, after the Appeal Court judgment in June, Ajaka alleged that the judgment was influenced by some irregularities and manipulations.

While delivering judgment, the appeal court upheld the tribunal judgment which dismissed his petition for lacking in merit.

Ajaka, in a statement made available to newsmen after the judgment said he would appeal the decision of the Court of Appeal.

He also said the journey to reclaiming his mandate was not limited to the decision of the appellate court.

Sylva also in May expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the governorship election in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru.

The tribunal in its judgment delivered May 17, 2024, in Abuja, upheld the election and the return of Senator Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Eruwjadkpo as lawfully elected governor and deputy respectively, leading Sylva to file for an appeal.

In July, the Court of Appeal Abuja dismissed the appeal to challenge the judgment of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

Justice James Abundaga who read the lead judgment of the Court of Appeal affirmed the declaration of Diri and the People’s Democratic Party PDP as the joint winners of the November 11, 2023 poll.