Tribunal declares PDP’s Natasha Akpoti winner of Kogi Central Senatorial seat

The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja on Wednesday declared the Kogi Central Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial candidate, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the winner of the February 25 Kogi Central Senatorial election.

The court further declared Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan as the actual winner of the February Senatorial election in Kogi Central.

The Tribunal Chairman, Justice K. A. Orjiako who read the unanimous judgment of the 3-man panel, said Ohere results were inflated in 9 polling units of Ajaokuta LGA while that of Natasha was intentionally reduced in the same 9 polling units by the INEC Ward Collation officers.

He also stated that 3 other polling units’ results were deliberately not entered for Natasha in the same LGA.

The court said that Natasha’s results in the 9 polling units of Ajaokuta LGA were 1073 against the 77 that were recorded by the Ward Collation officers while that of the APC candidate, Abubakar Ohere was inflated to 1553 against the actual figure of 1031.

“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 were deliberately not recorded at the Ward Collation centre.

The Tribunal said it is 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.”

The Tribunal subsequently ordered the 3rd respondent (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of returns issued to Ohere and Issue same to Natasha.

The Court also chided INEC for deliberately going out of its mandate of conducting a free and fair election to connive with political parties to subvert the will of the people.

He therefore ordered INEC to pay N500,000 to Natasha for ‘subverting justice’ in the Senatorial election.

Responding to the judgment, counsel to Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan, Johnson Usman (SAN) said the judgment has now validated the true winner of the Kogi Central election.

“This is victory for the people of Kogi Central Senatorial district, victory for Kogi in general and victory for the election processes.

The governor of the state, Yahaya Bello is from the district.

Details shortly…

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

I saved Nigeria from corruption — Buhari

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has praised his administration for, according to him, coming on a rescue mission and effectively saving Nigeria from corrupt undertones that were planted to expose its economy to imminent collapse. He said that the success of the administration in the fight against corruption was unprecedented…..

Headies 2023: Asake wins next rated award ahead of Seyi vibes, Young John, others

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Ahmed Ololade, better known professionally as Asake, has emerged as the winner of the highly coveted ‘Next Rated’ award at this year’s Headies award ceremony.….…

DSS uncovers alleged plot by politicians to stage violent protests nationwide

The Department of State Services (DSS), on Monday, raised the alarm that the Service has uncovered plans by some disgruntled Politicians to stage nationwide violent protests in order to discredit the Federal Government and security agencies over sundry socio-economic matters in the country..……

Gabon coup leader, Oligui, sworn in as interim president

Gabon’s new military leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema was sworn in as the head of state Monday less than a week after ousting the president whose family had ruled the Central African nation for more than five decades.....…

Tinubu departs for India on Monday to attend G20 summit

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Monday to attend the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India, on the special invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the Presidency...……

EDITORIAL: Ambrose Alli varsity’s magical graduates

THE Edo State government recently uncovered massive sleaze at the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma. As it found out, in the last two years, at least 30 students of the school took examinations and graduated from the university while living outside the shores of Nigeria..…