The election petition tribunal in Lokoja has officially declared Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the rightful winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial District election held on February 25.
The tribunal on Wednesday declared Natasha winner while delivering judgement in a petition filed by Natasha.
It also invalidated the victory of Senator Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress.
Background
Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed a petition before the tribunal challenging the outcome declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The INEC had earlier declared Ohere winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial District election
In her petition, she highlighted electoral malpractices and voting discrepancies reported at multiple polling units and collation centres.
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Court`s decision
Delivering judgement, a three-man panel led by Justice K. A. Orjiako held that Senator Ohere’s vote tally had been inflated in nine polling units within the Ajaokuta Local Government Area.
The panel made known that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had reduced Natasha’s results in those particular areas and omitted the results of three additional polling units that were originally meant for Natasha within the same LGA.
After a thorough examination of the presented evidence and testimonies, the tribunal reached the verdict that Natasha met the constitutional criteria for being declared the winner.
The panel held that Natasha secured 54,064 votes, narrowly defeating her closest rival, Sadiku Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 51,291 votes.
