Gov Ododo hails S/Court judgment, asks supporters to be magnanimous in victory

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has applauded the decision of the Supreme Court that affirmed his victory as the duly elected Governor of Kogi State.

In his reaction to the judgment of the Court delivered on Friday, Ododo praised the judiciary for rising to the occasion and for asserting its position as the last hope of the common man despite several threats and blackmail by those who were bent on upturning the course of justice and the will of the majority of the people of Kogi State.

Ododo’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by Malam Ismaila Isah, Special Adviser on Media to the governor.

While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the support he has enjoyed, the Kogi State Governor called on the leadership of opposition parties in the state to join hands with his administration to bring about more dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Governor Ododo called on his supporters and members of the All Progressives Congress in the state to remain magnanimous as they celebrate the victory of the party following the Court judgement.

The Governor who described his victory as an act of God noted that the November 11, 2023 Governorship election was a contest by people from the same family to hold power on behalf of the people of the state.

He said, “I feel elated about our victory and how the judiciary held on to the point of law and stayed away from emotional blackmail and threats to ensure justice is served.

“The judiciary was threatened and blackmailed but they remained resolute and ignored emotions.

“The victory is not all about me. It is about the people who trooped out on November 11, 2023, to vote for us and we won the election resoundingly. The election was very transparent, fair, and credible and it is the most peaceful election in the history of our state.

“I call on our brothers in the opposition parties to come and join me to move Kogi State forward.

“It is now time for all of us to come together and discuss the affairs of our state towards achieving the greatness that we all wish for Kogi State”

He promised to continue to serve the people with dedication and the fear of God, assuring that members of his team will redouble efforts to bring forth creativity in delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the victory of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship election held in Kogi State.

A five-member panel of the apex court, in a landmark judgment, held that the appeal by the Social Democratic Party, SDP and its candidate, Muritala Ajaka was without merit and was therefore dismissed.