The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has confirmed the election of Usman Ododo as the Governor of Kogi State. The tribunal dismissed the petition filed by Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which challenged the election results.
The tribunal, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, ruled that the SDP and its candidate, Ajaka, failed to substantiate their allegations against Ododo and the other respondents. The tribunal found that the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had previously declared Ododo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the Kogi governorship election held on November 11, 2023. Ododo received 446,237 votes, defeating Ajaka, who garnered 259,052 votes, and Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who obtained 46,362 votes.
Usman Ododo, a former Auditor General of Kogi State and a close associate of the immediate-past governor Yahaya Bello, assumed office on January 27, 2024.