The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the appeals concerning the 2023 governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States, brought forward by Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respectively.
Both candidates are challenging the decisions made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the outcomes of the elections in their respective states.
Ajaka contested the affirmation of Ahmed Usman Ododo of the APC as the governor of Kogi State, arguing that the judgment by the election tribunal, which dismissed his petition, was influenced by irregularities. Despite the Appeal Court’s dismissal of his case in June, Ajaka has maintained his commitment to seeking justice and has taken his appeal to the Supreme Court.
Similarly, Timipre Sylva has contested the re-election of Senator Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Eruwjadkpo, in Bayelsa State. Sylva’s appeal follows the Tribunal’s judgment upholding the election results, which was later affirmed by the Court of Appeal. The appellate court dismissed Sylva’s claims of electoral irregularities and awarded a cost of N500,000 to be paid by the APC and Sylva to the respondents.
As both cases await judgment from the Supreme Court, the outcomes will be crucial in determining the final resolution of the disputes surrounding the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States.