The Kogi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Lokoja has adjourned indefinitely, allowing the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to complete the inspection of election materials.
During the hearing on Wednesday, the SDP informed the tribunal that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was cooperating with the material inspection, as granted by the tribunal’s order, but requested additional time.
The tribunal had previously directed INEC to issue certified copies of electoral materials related to the November 11 off-cycle election in the state to the SDP within 48 hours.
It also ordered that the SDP’s forensic experts be allowed to examine specific electoral materials, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and result sheets for several Local Government Areas.
The tribunal’s ruling, issued on Saturday in Lokoja, responded to the SDP’s request for these materials to support its case against the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.
Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, the tribunal chairman, gave the order following ex-parte motions filed by the SDP and its governorship candidate, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu-Ajaka, on November 19.
Justice Birnin-Kudu adjourned the resumed hearing until the inspection of materials had been completed. The lead counsel to the petitioners, Mr. John Adele (SAN), explained that efforts to obtain certified copies of materials from INEC had been mostly successful but faced some delays, preventing them from meeting the 48-hour timeframe.
The SDP, along with its candidate Muritala Yakubu, is challenging the victory of the APC and its candidate, Alhaji Usman Ododo, at the election petitions tribunal. Usman Ododo won the election with 446,237 votes, while Yakubu-Ajaka secured 259,052 votes as the closest rival.
