Sen. Abubakar Ohere (APC – Kogi Central) says he will appeal judgment of the election tribunal that voided his victory and declared Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the PDP as winner of the Feb. 25 National Assembly poll in the zone.
Ohere, who made this declaration in a statement in Lokoja, expressed great shock over the judgment of the tribunal that nullified his election, saying he was confident of victory at the Court of Appeal.
Our correspondent reports that the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kogi, declared Akpoti- Uduaghan the actual winner of the Feb. 25 senatorial election in Kogi Central.
The Tribunal Chairman, Justice K. A. Orjiako who read the unanimous judgment of the three -man panel, said Ohere’s results were inflated in nine polling units of Ajaokuta Local Government Area while that of Akpoti-Uduaghan was intentionally reduced in the same nine polling units by the INEC Ward Collation officers.
Orjiako said: “After making the proper correction, Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan (PDP) having polled 54,074 against Abubakar Ohere (APC) who polled 51,291 is hereby declared the authentic winner.”
But Ohere expressed worry on the tribunal’s decision, that as a respondent, he ought to have filed a cross-petition to be able to challenge votes in an election petition.
Ohere said: “I feel strongly that the decision is contrary to Paragraph 15 of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2022.
“As a matter of fact, I presented before the Tribunal through my team of lawyers, a decision of the Appellate Court which held that a respondent does not need to file a cross-petition to challenge votes in an election petition, if the ground for challenging the election is majority of lawful votes.
“While I am waiting for my team of lawyers to give me full details on the judgment, I urge all my supporters to be calm and peaceful as their mandate is not lost.
“I know that I have an option of appeal which I shall exercise after due consultation with my lawyers.
“I am confident that we shall triumph at the next floor of justice by pointing to areas where we strongly disagree with the ruling. Your mandate shall be protected,” he said.
The senator, however, urged his supporters not to be disturbed but to believe that they would get it right at the Appeal Court.
