The ruling All Progressives Congress on Monday congratulated Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, after his election victory was upheld by the State Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
Ododo was affirmed as the valid winner of the governorship election that was held in the state on November 11, 2023.
A three-member panel headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu dismissed the petition of Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party for failure to substantially prove material facts in his petition as required by law.
The tribunal held that in line with Section 135 of the Electoral Act, the petitioner failed to prove how the irregularities alleged were substantial enough to affect the entire election.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, the ruling party described Ododo’s victory as a welcome development.
He said, “We congratulate Governor Ododo on his victory at the election petition tribunal. And we thank our teeming members, supporters, and the good people of Kogi state for their steadfast support during the legal process in defence of our electoral victory.
“We commend the judiciary for its professionalism and commitment towards strengthening our democracy. Governor Ododo’s victory at the Election Petition Tribunal is a solid affirmation of the popular mandate handed to him and our Party by the Kogi electorate.
“Buoyed by this victory, we assure you that the governor will devote himself to consolidating the good governance of the confluence state and justifying the confidence reposed in him by the electorate.
“This is a spectacular victory for all Kogi people irrespective of differences of any kind. We urge the opposition to accept the verdict of the tribunal and support Governor Ododo as he continues to design and implement his many development policies and projects for the shared progress of the state.”
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