As the Supreme Court prepares to rule on the Kogi State gubernatorial election, political activist Comrade Usman Okai Austin has expressed concerns that a favorable judgment for Governor Usman Ododo would not only reward the immediate past governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, but also set a dangerous precedent for Nigerian politics.
On Monday, a five-man panel of the Supreme Court reserved its judgment on the appeals filed by Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party, who challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration on the outcome of the 2023 Kogi governorship election.
In a statement on Thursday, Okai said , “A victory for Usman Ododo at the Supreme Court would be a significant reward for Yahaya Bello, but it would also set a dangerous precedent in Nigerian politics.”
Okai voiced concerns that such a ruling could normalize electoral fraud and over-voting, potentially undermining the integrity of the country’s democratic process.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling is highly anticipated, and many are watching closely to see how the case will unfold,” he added.
“Regardless of the outcome, the implications will be far-reaching and significant for Kogi State and beyond.”
It would be recalled that Ajaka had appealed the judgment of a three-member tribunal that affirmed the election of Ahmed Usman Ododo of APC as governor of Kogi.
However, after the Appeal Court judgment in June, Ajaka alleged that the judgment was influenced by some irregularities and manipulations