The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has affirmed the election of Usman Ododo as the Governor of Kogi State.
A three-man panel of the appellate court affirmed the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which affirmed the victory of Ododo as the duly elected governor of Kogi State in the November 11, 2023 governorship election after dismissing the appeal filed by the Social Democratic Party’s candidate, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka.
The Appellate Court, while resolving all four grounds of appeal against the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, held that the petitioners failed to prove all the allegations in their petition beyond a reasonable doubt.
Usman Ododo was elected as the governor of Kogi State in the 2023 gubernatorial election. His candidacy was under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC). A series of political manoeuvres, alliances, and intense campaigning marked the election process.
ALSO READ Kogi: Ododo appoints Bello’s nephew who’s under trial for alleged N3bn fraud as COS
Ododo’s victory was influenced by the incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello, who played a significant role in supporting his candidacy. The APC’s strong political machinery in Kogi State also contributed to his success. Despite challenges from opposition parties and allegations of electoral irregularities, Ododo emerged victorious, reflecting the electorate’s support for the APC’s continuity in governance.
His tenure is anticipated to focus on addressing the state’s socio-economic challenges, enhancing infrastructure, and continuing some of the policies of his predecessor. Ododo’s administration is expected to navigate the complexities of Kogi’s diverse political landscape while striving to fulfil his campaign promises.
Kogi State is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria, bordered to the west by the states of Ekiti and Kwara, to the north by the Federal Capital Territory, to the northeast by Nasarawa State, to the northwest by Niger State, to the southwest by the Edo and Ondo states, to the southeast by the states of Anambra and Enugu, and the east by Benue State.
Details later…
