SDP Witness Testifies at Kogi Election Tribunal Amid Discrepancies and Scrutiny

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) made a significant presentation on Thursday at the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal, as witness Benjamin Ikani Okolo from Dekina Local Government Area testified. Okolo, a former Local Government Chairman, tendered an inspection report and affirmed his deposition before the panel of justices.

During the hearing, Okolo confirmed that the SDP had polling agents deployed across the state, shedding light on the party’s organizational presence during the elections. Notably, GWG.ng reported that the SDP had previously presented only one polling agent as a witness, sparking questions from the Respondents’ counsel about the absence of agent complaints.

Under cross-examination by respondents’ counsel, Kanu Agabi SAN, Okolo acknowledged his lack of familiarity with specific polling unit details challenged in the petition. While he identified electoral documents presented by the petitioners, he clarified that he had not been involved in their creation or maintenance.

Okolo’s testimony faced scrutiny regarding discrepancies between the inspection report and BVAS figures, with the Respondents’ counsel highlighting inconsistencies. Despite these observations, Okolo defended the accuracy of the report, attributing discrepancies to specific circumstances like the absence of over-voting in certain polling units.

The hearing also revealed disparities between Okolo’s deposition figures and those from the BVAS.

However, the session concluded with an adjournment to April 5, 2024, for further proceedings.

Representing the petitioners, Pius Akubo SAN, and for INEC, Kanu Agabi SAN, engaged in legal representation, while A.M. Aliu SAN and E.C. Ukala SAN represented Gov. Usman Ododo and APC, respectively.

The SDP’s challenge against Gov. Ododo’s victory in the November 2023 governorship election remains ongoing, with the tribunal set to delve deeper into the intricacies of the case in subsequent sessions.
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