'We have no choice' -- Kogi PDP accepts s'court judgement affirming Yahaya Bello as gov

‘We have no choice’ — Kogi PDP accepts s’court judgement affirming Yahaya Bello as gov

August 31

19:56 2020

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The Kogi state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has accepted the decision of the supreme court affirming Yahaya Bello as the duly elected governor of the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Bello, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the governorship election that held in November 2019.

However, his opponents, Musa Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Natasha Akpoti of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), challenged his victory in court.

In a split judgment of two-to-one delivered on May 23, 2020, the tribunal affirmed Bello’s election.

The court of appeal also dismissed Wada’s appeal, and consequently, the PDP candidate filed an appeal before the apex court.

On Monday, Mary Uwani Abba-Aji, justice of the supreme court, dismissed the appeal filed by Wada of PDP and Akpoti of SDP, leading to the end of the legal tussle and affirming Bello as governor of Kogi.

Reacting to the development in a statement, Bode Ogunmola, PDP publicity secretary in the state, said the party has accepted the apex court ruling in good faith.

He said its decision is based on the lack of further alternatives in achieving its objectives based on democratic practices.

The party commended Wada and Sam Aro, his running mate, for their perseverance. It also appreciated the PDP legal team and the party’s supporters for their commitment.

“While the higher court in the land has given its verdict, the PDP has no choice than to accept it and go ahead to appreciate the resilience of members and the teeming supporters of the party,” the statement read.

“We thank God for the grace and the courage to go this far. We believe that He has the ultimate say.”

After the supreme court decision, Bello asked candidates of other political parties who contested against him to join him in taking the state “to the next level”.