Election Tribunals Confirm Kogi, Bayelsa Governorship Polls
The Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, convened in Abuja, has upheld the victory of Usman Ododo from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11 gubernatorial election in Kogi State.
Led by Ado Birnin-Kudu, the three-member tribunal ruled against the claims brought forth by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Murtala Ajaka.
The tribunal found their allegations of irregularities, manipulations, and non-compliance with electoral laws unsubstantiated. In the lead judgment, Birnin-Kudu emphasized that the election had been conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.
In a separate development, the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, also convened in Abuja, has upheld the re-election of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.
In a verdict delivered on Monday, May 27, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, leading a three-member tribunal, dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Timipre Sylva, from the last gubernatorial election in Bayelsa state.
The tribunal, in a unanimous decision, declared that the petitioners failed to provide credible evidence to support any of the allegations they raised against the outcome of the Bayelsa state gubernatorial poll. Consequently, all additional proof of evidence and statements on oath from some of the petitioners’ witnesses were struck out.
