Tribunal Sacks APC Senator, Declares PDP’s Natasha Akpoti Winner Of Kogi Senatorial Election

The election petition tribunal in Lokoja has declared Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the winner of the Kogi central senatorial district election.

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, the tribunal, led by Kemakolam Ojiako, affirmed Akpoti-Uduaghan as the winner of the senatorial election, which took place on February 25.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had previously announced Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Kogi central senatorial election.

INEC returning officer for the district, Rotimi Ajayi, had disclosed that Sadiku-Ohere secured 52,132 votes, narrowly surpassing Natasha, who received 51,763 votes. The margin of victory was a mere 369 votes.

Unsatisfied with the election’s outcome, Natasha submitted a petition to the tribunal, seeking to nullify Sadiku-Ohere’s victory and her declaration as the winner of the election.

Following hearings and arguments presented by the parties involved in the petition in July, the tribunal reserved judgment in the case.

KanyiDaily recalls that Natasha Akpoti had accused Governor Yahaya Bello of excavating all access roads leading to her Ihima hometown in Okehi local government area of Kogi state.