The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, based in Abuja, has thrown out the petition filed by the Action Peoples Party (APP) against the win of Governor Ahmed Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11 governorship election.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, dismissed the petition after it was withdrawn by the counsel for APP, Daniel Edeachi. The withdrawal was unopposed by the counsels representing Governor Ododo, APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In response to the affidavit of no objection from the respondents’ lawyers, the tribunal subsequently struck out the petition.
The petition, filed on December 1, 2023, contested the declaration of Ododo as the duly elected governor of Kogi in the November 11, 2023, election. However, through a motion on notice dated and filed on February 15, the party sought permission to withdraw the petition and for it to be struck out or dismissed.
In its argument, the APP stated that upon re-evaluating the grounds and facts of the petition, it was not convinced of its sustainability and withdrew the petition in the interest of justice. The party clarified that there was no collusion or connivance involved in the withdrawal.
While this petition has been dealt with, hearings on the remaining three petitions continue.
