Supreme Court judgment: SDP can finally rest in peace

By Taiye Elebiyo

The candidate of Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) can finally rest in peace, giving Gov. Usman Ododo of the APC a fresh breath of relief and allowing him to eventually focus on his promises.

It could be recalled that Usman Ododo, polled a total of 446,237 votes to beat his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka, who scored 259,052, was dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, which had led to several court trials to seek redress.

Ajaka approached the election tribunal, seeking an overturn of the election results and an order directing INEC to conduct a fresh election in about five LGAs.

However, on May 27, 2024, the tribunal found no reason to dislodge the result, and declared in favour of Ododo.

After the tribunal victory,  SDP candidate Murtala Ajaka was still not satisfied and further approached the Court of Appeal.

On July 11, 2024, a three-man panel of the appellate court affirmed the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, confirming Ododo’s victory and dismissing the appeal filed by the Social Democratic Party’s candidate, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, yet another defeat.

Ajaka was hoping for a final overturn to be declared the winner, by approaching the Supreme Court, a final hope for Ajaka’s victory.

Unfortunately for the SDP, the Supreme Court on August 23, 2024, upheld the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the governorship election in Kogi State and this eventually laid the matter to rest.

With the Supreme Court judgment, SDP can finally rest in perfect peace, and Gov. Usman Ododo can boldly hit the ground running to fulfill his promises to Kogites.