Court of Appeal upholds PDP’s Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan as Kogi Central Senatorial winner

The Court of Appeal’s Abuja Division has upheld the victory of Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, in the Kogi Central Senatorial Election. This decision reaffirms the earlier ruling by the Tribunal in February 2023, which declared Akpoti as the rightful winner.

In its ruling, the Appellate Court dismissed the appeal lodged by Abubakar Ohere, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, citing a lack of merit.

The initial judgment from the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal in Lokoja, back in September, had nullified Ohere’s victory in the Kogi Central Senatorial Election. Despite Ohere’s subsequent appeal, the higher court has now further confirmed Akpoti-Uduagan’s victory.

The tribunal’s Chairman, Justice K.A. Orjiakoin, had previously declared Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Kogi East Senatorial election that took place on February 25, 2023. According to the tribunal’s findings, Uduaghan secured 54,064 votes, surpassing her closest rival, Abubakar Sadiku Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who received 51,291 votes. Justice Orjiakoin noted discrepancies in Ohere’s results, suggesting inflation in nine polling units in Ajaokuta Local Government Area (LGA), as well as a deliberate reduction in Natasha’s votes in certain areas and the omission of three polling units in the same LGA.