In a significant legal development, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has officially declared Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan of the Peoples Democratic Party as the rightfully elected candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial Election conducted in February 2023. This verdict comes after the court dismissed the appeal lodged by Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress, deeming it lacking in merit.
Back in September, the state’s Election Petitions Tribunal had initially proclaimed Akpoti-Uduagan as the victor in the Kogi Central Senatorial election and invalidated Ohere’s victory. Tribunal Chairman, Justice K. A. Orjiako, delivered a unanimous judgment, revealing discrepancies in the election results. It was discovered that Ohere’s results were inflated in nine polling units in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area, while Natasha’s results were reduced in these areas, with the omission of the results of three additional polling units meant for Natasha in the same LGA.
Ohere’s quest for redress led him to the Appeal Court, which has now upheld the victory of Akpoti-Uduagan. In response to this pivotal court decision, Akpoti-Uduagan expressed her gratitude and joy on her official Facebook page, saying, “We won the Appeal. Joy amidst tears.
