The Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal has declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan as the winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial election which was held in February 2023. The tribunal also invalidated the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abubakar Ohere. The unanimous judgment of the 3-man panel led by Justice K. A. Orjiako stated that Ohere’s results were inflated in 9 polling units located in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Justice Orjiako also added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) decreased Natasha’s results and omitted the results of 3 other polling units meant for Natasha in the same LGA.
The presiding judge said, “The issues raised by the petitioner is hereby resolved in favour of the petitioners and 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.”
The Tribunal ordered the 3rd respondent, INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Ohere and to be issued to Natasha and further ordered INEC to pay N500,000 to Natasha for ‘subverting justice’ in the election.
