Lokoja, Sept. 6, 2023 – The Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan, as the duly elected winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2023 general elections
It nullified the victory of Senator Abubakar Ohere winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial election.
Justice K. A. Orjiako, the Chairman of the Tribunal, who read the unanimous judgment of the three-man panel, said Ohere’s results were inflated in nine polling units in Ajaokuta Local Government Area, while those of Natasha were reduced in the same nine polling units by the INEC Ward Collation officers.
“The Tribunal is also convinced that the petitioner’s 996 votes in polling units 009, 046 and O49 polling units of Ganaja village of Ajaokuta LGA was deliberately not recorded at the Ward Collation centre.
The Tribunal said it was not the duty of collation officers to reject results submitted by Presiding officers from polling units in elections that followed the electoral guidelines substantially.
“The issues raised by the petitioner is hereby resolved in favour of the petitioners and after making the proper correction, Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan (PDP) having polled 54,074 against Abubakar Ohere (APC) who polled 51,291, is hereby declared the authentic winner.” (GBN)
