By Ayobami Okerinde
The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the November 11 polls in Kogi State, Murtala Ajaka, says he will not challenge the victory of Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in court, as it’s a waste of time.
Ododo was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 446,237 votes to defeat Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who came in second with 259,052 votes. Dino Melaye, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scored 46,362 votes.
Ajaka alleged that the election was rigged in favour of Ododo, stating that there were reports of pre-filled election results in some parts of the state before the commencement of voting on Saturday.
He made this known during an appearance on Channels TV’s The 2023 Verdict programme on Sunday night.
His words: “I have been around for the past 20 years. I know what it is. What am I going to court to do when the same INEC that did this is going to come as a witness to defend what they did? So it is a waste of time. Except the party people, because I’m hugely disappointed. If the INEC chairman allows this to stand, they are looking for trouble in Nigeria.
“You gave me assurances that the election would be transparent; you allowed me to waste my time, spend my money, mobilise my people, only for you to write the results. Even if I’m not sad about it, you expect my supporters to be happy. I assure you, if they allow this to stand as they are allowing in all the states now, they are calling for anarchy in this country.”
Speaking further, Ajaka called on the INEC chair, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to investigate the officials used for the conduct of the election and stated that he doubts if elections will be held in the country in 2027.
He said, “With all due respect to the person of the INEC chairman, if they don’t do a checklist and investigate their officials that went to Kogi State and allow this to stand, I doubt if there will be an election in 2027. Because people will go into that election armed, and I fear Somalia will be a child’s play.
“If we knew it would be the same old music, we would have played along with that old music by inflating the results from my area,” he added.
Source: Vanguard
