Murtala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Kogi, has vowed to go to the Supreme Court to appeal the verdict that confirmed the victory of Governor Usman Ododo.
The Court of Appeal had on Thursday, July 11, thrown out Ajaka’s case challenging Ododo’s victory.
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 verdict, vowing to appeal to the Supreme Court, saying he would 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 behavior 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.”
