A five-judge panel of the Supreme Court of Nigeria has decided to defer its ruling regarding the appeals filed by Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States.
Both Ajaka and Sylva contested the election results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the 2023 governorship elections in their respective states.
However, the Supreme Court announced in a ruling on Monday that it has reserved its judgments on these appeals.
Ajaka had challenged the ruling of a three-member tribunal that confirmed the victory of Ahmed Usman Ododo of the APC as Kogi governor. Following the June ruling of the Appeal Court, Ajaka claimed that irregularities and manipulations influenced the decision.
In its ruling, the appeal court upheld the tribunal’s decision to dismiss his petition for lacking merit. Following the judgment, Ajaka stated that he plans to appeal the decision made by the Court of Appeal. He also said that the process of reclaiming his mandate is not limited to the decision of the appellate court.
“We must remain relentless in our pursuit of justice. We cannot afford to be deterred by setbacks or disheartened by temporary defeats. Our cause is justice and our determination will not waver. We must stand united and continue to support our legal team as they navigate these complex legal waters on our behalf.
“I want to assure you, our political followers, that victory is within our grasp. We firmly believe that the truth will prevail, and justice will be served. We have full faith in the Nigerian judicial system, and we are confident that the Supreme court will rectify the injustices that have been inflicted upon us once again.” Ajaka said.
Sylva also expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the May governorship election in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru.
In its ruling on May 17, 2024, in Abuja, the Tribunal confirmed the election and the victory of Senator Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Eruwjadkpo, as the duly elected governor and deputy, respectively. This led Sylva to file an appeal. However, in July, the Court of Appeal Abuja rejected the appeal aimed at challenging the decision of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
In a recent court decision, Justice James Abundaga delivered the lead judgment of the Court of Appeal and upheld the declaration of Diri and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the joint winners of the November 11, 2023 poll. As part of the ruling, a cost of N500,000 was awarded to be paid by the APC and Sylva to the respondents in the appeal.
The appellate court found that the appellants failed to present credible evidence demonstrating that the election took place in 184 polling units of Nembe, Ogbia, and Southern Ijaw.
Additionally, the court determined that based on the evidence and exhibits submitted, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not conduct the election in the disputed areas, and therefore, the issue of vote collation could not have arisen.