Supreme Court of Nigeria to Hear Electoral Disputes in Bayelsa and Kogi

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has officially commenced hearing on electoral disputes arising from the governorship elections conducted in Bayelsa and Kogi States in 2023. The election disputes revolve around the victory of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, who were declared winners by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last year.

Challenging these declarations are Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Both Sylva and Ajaka are seeking to overturn the outcomes of the elections, citing alleged irregularities and discrepancies.

Despite these challenges, the separate Governorship Election Petition Tribunals and the Court of Appeal have both affirmed the declarations made by INEC on various grounds. The Supreme Court will now hear the cases and make a final decision on the disputes.

The outcome of this hearing is eagerly anticipated, with many hoping for a resolution that will bring closure to the electoral controversies in Bayelsa and Kogi States. Details of the hearing will be reported as they become available.

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