In the 2023 gubernatorial election, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party amassed 259,052 votes, while his rival from the All Progressive Congress got 446,237 votes, making him the winner and governor-elect of Kogi State. However, the SDP contested the election outcome. On April 6, 2024, following the testimony of twenty-five witnesses, the petitioners concluded their case.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission submitted electoral documents opposing the Social Democratic Party and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, to the Kogi State Governorship Petition Tribunal, located in Abuja, on Monday. Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu presided over a three-member panel of justices on Monday, where INEC initiated the proceedings by presenting a series of documents. Among other documents, the commission’s attorney, Uchenna Njoku, submitted the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of the Election, INEC Manuals for Electoral Officers, and INEC Form EC8C.
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After the documents were submitted, Justice Birnin-Kudu admitted them as evidence and annotated them as exhibits.
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Then, in order to allow the electoral umpire to present its witnesses on the subsequent postponed date, Njoku petitioned for an adjournment. The judge adjourned the matter until April 16 to facilitate the hearing. Previously, Justice Birnin-Kudu, noting that the SDP’s petition would expire on May 29, shortened from ten to five days the time allotted to the respondents to present their cases and submit their final written addresses. He assured that the tribunal would not hesitate to grant additional days if five days were insufficient.
By Chidimma NWAFOR
