Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan of the Peoples Democratic Party was announced winner of the February 25 Kogi Central Senatorial election by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Appeal Court upheld the decision of the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal, which had previously declared Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress the victor of the election.
The tribunal, chaired by Justice K. A. Orjiako, had fired Ohere, claiming that his votes had been inflated in nine voting units in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area, while Natasha’s had been purposefully lowered.
Ohere had filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal after being dissatisfied with the tribunal’s decision.
The appellate court, on the other hand, concurred with the tribunal and dismissed Ohere’s appeal.
While dismissing the appeal, the court awarded Ohere a N500,000 fine.
Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, the APC’s state leader, praised Akpoti-Uduagan, saying he accepted the appellate court’s decision.
Bello briefed State House Correspondents after the Police Council meeting at Aso Rock Villa, saying:
“I accept the decision of the appeal court. And I use this opportunity to congratulate my sister Barrister Natasha as a senator of the Kogi Central Senatorial District.”
cc: Punch Ng
