The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has adjourned hearing in the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party, SDP and its candidate, Muritala Ajaka challenging the election of APC’s Usman Ododo as Governor of Kogi State in November 11, 2023 polls.
Chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Yusuf birnin-kudu made the adjournment after counsel for the petitioners identified the number of BVAS machine used in some local government areas of Kogi State during the election.
This followed the submission by the petitioners on the last adjourned date that, in compliance with the order of the Tribunal, the BVAS machines had been brought to aid a witness provided by INEC to verify the results stored in the devices with respect to the five local government areas being contended.
The Respondents in the suit had opposed to the calling of witness on the last adjourned date, stating that the witness was not included in the list of subpoenaed witnesses of the Petitioners.
At the hearing on Friday, a total of 281 BVAS machines were identified to be used in Okene LGA, while a total of 178 BVAS machines were used in Adavi LGA among others.
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The Tribunal after admitting the total number of BVAS machines in a few local governments adjourned to March 4 for hearing to continue.
Tribunal Chairman however ordered the Registrar to avail parties the Certified True Copies of the communication between INEC and the court regarding the BVAS machine counted and to be tendered as evidence before the Tribunal.
The petitioners are challenging the victory of Usman Ododo who won the election with 446,237 votes, while his closest rival, Yakubu-Ajaka, got 259,052 votes.
The Tribunal had ordered INEC to issue certified copies of electoral materials for the November 11 off-cycle election in the state to the SDP. It also ordered INEC to allow the SDP’s forensic experts to examine some electoral materials.
The materials include the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS and result sheets for Adavi, Okene, Okehi, Ogori-Magongo, Ajaokuta, Lokoja, Kogi and Bassa Local Government Areas.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
