COURT RESERVES JUDGMENT IN BAYELSA, KOGI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS
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In the appeals of the Kogi and Bayelsa State governorship elections brought forth by Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), a five-member panel of the Supreme Court has deferred a decision.
Ajaka and Sylva both contested the Independent Electoral Commission’s (INEC) predictions regarding the results of the 2023 governorship elections in their individual states.
But the Supreme Court stated in a decision on Monday that it will withhold its decisions in the instances that were appealed.
Recall that Ajaka had filed an appeal against the ruling of a three-person panel that upheld Ahmed Usman Ododo of the APC’s election to the Kogi governorship.
However, after the Appeal Court judgment in June, Ajaka alleged that the judgment was influenced by some irregularities and manipulations.
The appellate court maintained the tribunal’s decision to reject his plea due to its lack of merit while rendering its decision.
Ajaka announced that he would appeal the Court of Appeal’s ruling in a statement that was made accessible to reporters following the ruling.
He added that the appellate court’s ruling is just one step in the process of regaining his mandate.
He said, “We must remain relentless in our pursuit of justice. We cannot afford to be deterred by setbacks or disheartened by temporary defeats. Our cause is justice and our determination will not waver. We must stand united and continue to support our legal team as they navigate these complex legal waters on our behalf.
“I want to assure you, our political followers, that victory is within our grasp. We firmly believe that the truth will prevail, and justice will be served. We have full faith in the Nigerian judicial system, and we are confident that the apex court will rectify the injustices that have been inflicted upon us once again.”
In a May statement, Sylva himself stated his displeasure with the outcome of the gubernatorial election under the signature of Julius Bokoru, his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs.
Sylva filed an appeal after the Tribunal confirmed the election and return of Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Eruwjadkpo as duly elected governor and deputy, respectively, in its ruling issued on May 17, 2024, in Abuja.
But in July, the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s ruling was rejected by the Court of Appeal Abuja in an appeal.
When Justice James Abundaga read the Court of Appeal’s lead ruling, he upheld Diri and the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) joint victory on November 11, 2023.
He granted the appellants in the appeal a cost of N500,000, which APC and Sylva are to reimburse.
The appellate court determined that the appellants had not presented any reliable proof that the election was held in the 184 polling places located in Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, and Nembe.
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S’COURT COMMENCES FINAL HEARING ON KOGI, BAYELSA GOVERNORSHIP POLLS
The court further found that the question of vote collation could not have arisen based on the facts and exhibits tendered, which showed that the election was not held in the contested areas by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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