The Kogi State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday upheld the election that produced Usman Ododo, of the All Progressives Congress, governor of the state.
The three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, dismissed the petition of Murtala Ajaka, of the Social Democratic Party, for failure to substantially prove material facts in his petition as required by law.
The tribunal held that in line with section 135 of the Electoral Act, the petitioner failed to prove how the irregularities alleged were substantial enough to affect the entire election.
In a unanimous decision, the tribunal held that the petitioner had failed to sufficiently adduce credible evidence in line with the relevant laws to warrant the success of his petition.
The court further held that the petitioner, according to law, is duty-bound to lead evidence to show that there was substantial inconsistency and also show how the irregularities are enough to affect the outcome of the election.
