Kogi election: SDP’s Ajaka vows to recover ‘stolen mandate’ at Supreme Court

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi, Murtala Ajaka, has said he will appeal the verdict of the Appeal Court affirming the victory of Governor Usman Ododo in the election to the Supreme Court

The Court of Appeal had on Thursday dismissed Ajaka’s challenge of victory of Ododo in the governorship election.

The three-man panel of judges said the SDP gubernatorial candidate failed to prove his claim that the election was marred by malpractices.

However, in a statement he issued after the judgment, Ajaka rejected the appellate court’s verdict.

He vowed to appeal the to the Supreme Court where he said he will reclaim his ‘stolen mandate’.

“I call on all our supporters to remain calm and peaceful in the face of this disappointment and injustice. We understand the frustration and anger that may arise from this situation, but resorting to violence or any form of unlawful behaviour is not the solution,” he said.

Ajaka said, “Remember that our journey to reclaiming our stolen mandate is not limited to this decision. This is just another step in a series of legal battles that we are prepared to take to the very end.

“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.”