Murtala Ajaka, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the November 11, 2023, election in Kogi, has announced his intention to appeal the verdict of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed Governor Usman Ododo’s victory, to the Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeal dismissed Ajaka’s challenge on Thursday, stating that he failed to prove his claims of election malpractices.
In response, Ajaka issued a statement rejecting the appellate court’s decision. He vowed to take his case to the Supreme Court to reclaim what he described as his “stolen mandate.”
Ajaka urged his supporters to remain calm and peaceful despite their disappointment and frustration. “Resorting to violence or any form of unlawful behaviour is not the solution,” he emphasized.
He continued, “Our journey to reclaiming our stolen mandate is not limited to this decision. This is just another step in a series of legal battles that we are prepared to take to the very end. We firmly believe that the truth will prevail, and justice will be served. We have full faith in the Nigerian judicial system and are confident that the apex court will rectify the injustices inflicted upon us once again.”