Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has said the judgments of the Supreme Court upholding his election for a second term in office as governor of Kogi State was an affirmation of the landmark victory entrusted to him by the people of Kogi State at the November 16, 2019 polls.
Governor Yahaya Bello polled a total of 406,222 votes against his closest rival, the PDP candidate who polled 189,704 votes with a winning margin of 216,518 votes.
The Supreme Court which last Tuesday the 25th of August heard appeals filed by the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the respective judgments of the Court of Appeal which earlier upheld decisions of the Kogi State elections petitions tribunal dismissing their various petitions against the governor and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement by Onogwu Muhammed, Chief Press Secretary, (CPS) to the governor, Bello said the Apex Court’s decision upholding his victory is an affirmation of the identical positions on the matters taken by the erudite jurists at the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
The governor praised the panel of 5 Justices led by Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammadu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria which heard the appeals and Hon. Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji CFR who read this morning’s judgment alone. Appreciating the court for her uprightness and erudition, the Governor thanked the entire citizens of the state for casting their votes for him and joining him to defend same to the end. He assured them that his administration will continue to do more and more for them in line with his campaign slogan.
The Governor used the moment to pay tribute to His Royal Majesty, Dr. Micheal Idakwo, Ameh Oboni II, the late Attah of Igala who passed on last week. He described the late traditional ruler as ‘a unifier’ who was a great supporter of his administration, a father and a wise counsellor.
The Governor called on the other parties and their candidates to forgo all forms of bitterness and division and join hands with him to take Kogi to the next level.
Meanwhile, Kogi State People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), has accepted the Supreme Court s judgement affirming Governor Yahaya Bello as the winner of last Novembers election.
In a statement issued on Monday shortly after the Supreme Court ruling the party paid tribute to its flagbearer, Engr. Musa Wada and his running mate, Hon. Sam Aro.
The PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Bode Ogunmola, said while it accepts in good faith the ruling of the Apex Court, it leaves the final judgement in the hands of God.
The statement said while the higher court in the land has given its verdict, the PDP has no choice than accept it and went ahead to appreciate the resilience of members and the teeming supporters of the party.
It also appreciated the legal team of the party and paid tribute to all those who either died, got maimed or injured during the election.
Concluding, the party said, “We thank God for the grace and the courage to go this far. We believe that He has the ultimate say.”
However, the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kogi state, Alhaji Abdulahi Bello has described the Supreme Court verdict affirming Governor Bello as the winner of last November governorship election as a well deserved victory.
He subsequently called on all opposition parties,The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) to join hands with the All progressives Congress,APC to move the state forward.
The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the decision of the tribunal and Appeal courts to declare Governor Bello as the winner of the election affirm ed him as the state Governor for a second term.
“Our doors are open and we are ready to involve everyone in moving the state forward to the next level of development and prosperity.” The chairman told our correspondent in an interaction over the phone.
The APC helmsman in the state said that the Supreme court’s ruling was a pointer to the fact that the judiciary was a trusted ally in the task ensuring justice for the common man.
