Court of Appeal sitting in Lokoja, on Tuesday, October 31, declared Peoples Democratic Party senatorial candidate in Kogi Central, Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as winner of the February 25 poll in the State.
The court had sacked Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress and subsequently ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (third respondent) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to the APC candidate.
Find hereunder a summary of the Appeal Court verdict in 5 paragraphs:
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- The 1st Appellant (Abubakar Ohere) was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast in the Kogi Central Senatorial District election held on February 2023.
- The declaration of APC’s Ohere and the certificate issued to the 1st Appellant are null and void.
- The 1st Respondent (Natasha Akpoti-Udauaghan) was duly elected and is hereby declared as winner of the said election and returned accordingly.
- The 3rd Respondent (INEC) shall forewith issue Natasha with the Certificate of Return as duly elected candidate at Kogi Central Senatorial District election.
- The Appellants (Ohere and APC) shall jointly and severally pay the Respondents (Natasha, PDP and INEC) the sum of N500, 000 as costs of the petition.