The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has
declared Gov. Yahaya Bello as the winner of the November 16 Governoship Election.
Delivering Judgement today in Abuja, the Tribunal says the petition of the PDP lacks merit, pointing out that the petitioners could not prove there case beyond reasonable doubt.
In a Judgment read by Justices Kashim G. Kaigama, on behalf of the three man panel of Justices, consequently dismissed the petition by Engr Wada and the PDP.
The Tribunal held that manual accreditation is still part of our laws and the manuals and guidelines of INEC on use of card reader machine cannot override the provisions of the Electoral Act on manual accreditation.
The Tribunal held that it would be fatal for a Petitioner to only rely on card reader report in proof of over voting or non-accreditation of voters, lameneted that there is no other evidence in support of the Petitioners allegations other than documentary hearsay, consequently discountenanced the allegations, added that Witnesses were not called by the Petitioners in respect of their allegations in respect of Okehi and Okene LGAs.
But in a swift reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party and its Flagbearer, Engr. Musa Wada have said they would appeal the judgement, describing it as a miscarriage of Justice.
Spokesman of the PDP candidate, Austin Okai, made the disclosure, lamented that the Tribunal went on an adventure, looked the other way without looking at the issues raised by the petitioners, assured that the Judgment would be tested in the Appeal.
Engr Musa Wada and the PDP had in a petition marked EPT/KG/GOV/06/2019, challenged the victory of Governor Yahaya Bello in the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State.
The petitioners alleged that the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State was marred by violence, over-voting and manipulation of figures and prayed that the Tribunal should declare him and his party winner of the election having scored the highest number of valid votes.
In the election, Wada scored 189,704 votes to emerge first runner-up while Yahaya Bello of APC scored 406,222 votes to emerge the winner of election, defeating the PDP candidate by a wide merging of 216,518 votes and set record as the highest marging ever in the history of the state Governoship Election.
fixed Saturday 23rd May, 2020 as the judgment day between Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Engr. Musa Wada and Governor Yahaya Bello of All Progressives Congress, APC.
The Tribunal will deliver verdict on petition of PDP candidate, Musa Wasa, marked EPT/KG/GOV/06/2019, challenging the victory of Governor Yahaya Bello in the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State.
In a letter addressed to the Respondents by Secretary of the Tribunal, Umar Abubakar, the judgment will take place 10:00am at the Federal High Court Headquarters, Maitama Abuaj. According to the Secretary of the Tribunal, Respondents to the petition have already been served.
Wada in his petition alleged that the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State was marred by violence, over-voting and manipulation of figures and prayed that the Tribunal should declare him the winner of the election having scored the highest number of valid votes.
In the election, Wada scored  189,704 votes to emerge first runner-up while Yahaya Bello of APC scored 406,222 votes to emerge the winner of election, defeating the PDP candidate by a wide merging of 216,518 votes and set record as the highest merging ever in the history of the state.
However, the PDP candidate is seeking the relief of the Tribunal to cancel votes of Yahaya Bello in seven local government including the 236,004 votes Yahaya Bello polled from his senatorial district, Kogi Central.
If Tribunal answers the prayer of Musa Wada of PDP, votes of seven local government will be canceled on Saturday and declare him the winner of the election.
Although, Yahaya Bello has also argued in his defence that he was the authentic winner of the election, adding that the election was free and fair.