The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal of the Social Democratic Party candidate, Muritala Ajaka, in the Kogi State governorship election.

Ajaka had challenged the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission after the November 11, 2023 election which produced Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress as winner.

After his petition was dismissed at the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal, Ajaka appealed the tribunal judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, where his appeal was also dismissed.

A five-member panel of the apex court, in a unanimous decision, affirmed Ododo’s victory as the panel refused to void the election as requested by Ajaka.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Sadiq Umar, he resolved all three issues identified for determination in the appeal against the appellants.

The apex court held that Ajaka’s appeal marked: SC/CV/654/2024 was without merit and proceeded to dismiss it.

Justice Umar held, “This appeal is hereby dismissed for being incompetent and without merit.”

Braimoh was seeking to void the victory of Ododo in an appeal, marked: SC/CV/653/2024.

The Supreme Court, however, dismissed it for being incompetent, adding that the notice of appeal was filed outside the 14 days allowed by law for the filing of such notice.