As the Supreme Court prepares to deliver its final judgment on the November 11, 2023, Kogi State governorship election, the spotlight remains on confirming Usman Ododo’s victory under the All Progressives Congress (APC). With both the Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal having already upheld Ododo’s election, anticipation is high that the Supreme Court will continue this trend, thereby validating the democratic choice of Kogi’s electorate. The following analysis reflects the views of political pundits and observers regarding the arguments presented by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, which seem to have inadvertently reinforced the legitimacy of Ododo’s victory.
Allegation of Certificate Forgery and Non-Qualification
According to Ibrahim Yunusa, the SDP’s reported central claim was that Usman Ododo was disqualified due to alleged certificate forgery. However, this argument was decisively rejected by both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal. The courts ruled that certificate forgery is a pre-election matter and should have been addressed before the election. This ruling underscores the importance of adhering to procedural correctness in election disputes.
By failing to raise this issue within the appropriate legal timeframe, the SDP undermined its case. The courts’ dismissal of this claim suggests that Ododo’s qualifications were thoroughly vetted and legally sound, reinforcing his legitimacy as a candidate. This ruling supports the notion that Ododo’s participation in the election was lawful and valid from the start.
Allegations of Over-Voting and Non-Compliance with the Electoral Act
Ola Matthew notes that Ajaka and the SDP alleged over-voting and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act. However, both the tribunal and the appellate court found these claims unsubstantiated. The courts noted that the SDP failed to provide credible evidence of over-voting or significant non-compliance.
The rejection of these claims further strengthens the legitimacy of Ododo’s victory. The courts’ findings that the election adhered to the Electoral Act highlight the fairness and transparency of the process. This dismissal of the SDP’s arguments emphasizes the strength of the electoral process and suggests that Ododo’s mandate was genuinely earned through the support of Kogi’s electorate.
The Incompetence of Petitioners’ Witnesses and Evidence
Mike Idoko argues that the SDP’s case was reportedly weakened by its failure to present credible witnesses and evidence. Both the tribunal and appellate courts noted that the witnesses called were not polling officers or agents directly involved in the election, and many of the documentary evidences were dismissed as hearsay. This focus on the incompetence of the witnesses underscores the SDP’s inability to meet the burden of proof necessary to challenge the election results.
Some pundits, including Idoko, argue that the failure to provide convincing evidence or credible witnesses indirectly bolsters Ododo’s position. The courts’ dismissal of the SDP’s evidence reinforces the legitimacy of Ododo’s victory and the integrity of the election process.
The SDP’s Prayer for a Supplementary Poll
Momoh Isah reports that the SDP requested a supplementary poll in certain polling units, excluding the APC and Ododo, based on alleged substantial non-compliance. The courts did not find this request substantiated. The refusal to grant a supplementary poll or annul the election results further affirms the fairness of the November 2023 election.
The courts’ rejection of this request signals confidence in the election’s integrity. By dismissing this prayer, the judiciary has validated Ododo’s win, asserting that there is no legal basis for questioning the overall outcome of the election.
Lastly, it’s has been reported that the arguments presented by the SDP and Murtala Ajaka have not only failed to overturn Usman Ododo’s victory but have, in many ways, reinforced its legitimacy. “The consistent dismissal of these claims across multiple judicial levels indicates that the electoral process was fair, lawful, and reflective of Kogi State’s will.
As the Supreme Court prepares to issue its final judgment, the expectation is that these arguments will once again be set aside, allowing Usman Ododo to continue his mandate as the duly elected governor of Kogi State.
– Mary Amodu Omakoji, a Journalist/PR Consultant, writes from Lokoja.
