The Kogi Off-Cycle Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, appointed by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Bolna’an-Dongban, will kick off its proceedings on Saturday, according to an official announcement made by David Umar-Mike, the Secretary of the tribunal in Lokoja on Thursday.
Reportedly, the election held on November 11 resulted in the emergence of Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner, securing 446,237 votes, while his closest contender, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), gathered 259,052 votes.
Umar-Mike stated, “By God’s grace, the tribunal will be sitting this Saturday, Nov. 25. We will take ex parte motions. This is because all we have at hand right now are the ex parte motions that will be taken on that Saturday. But the work proper may take a few more days because counsels will have to go and start looking for documents at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the rest of them before they file their various petitions.”
He emphasized that the establishment of the election tribunal adhered to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act (as amended). Additionally, he noted that the registry of the tribunal has commenced operations at the state High Court of Justice complex in Lokoja.
The commencement of the tribunal’s sitting marks a crucial phase in the post-election process, where legal counsels are expected to painstakingly gather essential documents and file their petitions.
The stage is set for a thorough examination of the electoral process, ensuring that justice prevails as the tribunal commences its crucial role in the aftermath of the Kogi Off-Cycle Governorship Election.
