The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on the appeals filed by Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the 2023 governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States.
The appeals challenge the declarations made by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) on the outcome of the elections.
Ajaka had initially appealed the judgment of a three-member tribunal that affirmed the election of Ahmed Usman Ododo of APC as governor of Kogi.
However, the Appeal Court upheld the tribunal’s judgment, dismissing Ajaka’s petition for lacking merit.
Ajaka has since stated his intention to appeal the decision, citing irregularities and manipulations.
Similarly, Sylva expressed dissatisfaction with the result of the governorship election in Bayelsa State and filed an appeal.
However, the Court of Appeal Abuja dismissed the appeal, affirming the declaration of Senator Douye Diri and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winners of the election.
The appellate court held that the appellants failed to produce credible evidence of election irregularities in the disputed areas.
The Supreme Court’s reserved judgment indicates that it will deliberate on the appeals and deliver a verdict at a later date.
