Murtala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party’s candidate, in the November 11, 2023, Kogi State governorship election, has called upon Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and other pertinent security agencies to probe the brutal assault on him and his supporters by certain thugs.
The attack occurred at the Supreme Court in Abuja on Friday, following the apex court’s five-member panel’s dismissal of Ajaka’s appeal. The court’s judgment upheld Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the election, citing Ajaka’s appeal as lacking merit.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ajaka vehemently condemned the attack, labeling it as “an assault on democracy itself.”
READ ALSO: Kogi LG election to hold Oct. 19 – KOSIEC
He urged, “I urge the Inspector General of Police and relevant security agencies to investigate this matter thoroughly, ensuring that culprits are brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others.”
Ajaka continued, “In a democratic society, attacks on a governorship candidate, because he explored a legal means to reclaim his stolen mandate are inexcusable and will not be tolerated.”
Regarding the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming Ododo’s victory, Ajaka stated his respect for the court’s role in upholding the rule of law but expressed his rejection of the outcome.
He remarked, “The world has witnessed the miscarriage of justice in our nation’s judiciary system, and we cannot help but feel a deep sense of disappointment and disillusionment.”
“The judgment has left many questions unanswered and has further eroded the trust of the Nigerian people in the judiciary.
“We reject the outcome even though we have no other options available we will abide by the decision of the apex court.”
Ajaka extended his gratitude to his legal and media teams for their tireless efforts and dedication in striving to reclaim his alleged stolen mandate.
He encouraged them to remain resilient and prepare for the 2027 elections, noting, “To my supporters, I feel your pain and disappointment. We did our best, leaving no stone unturned, but the system failed us. We fought a good fight, but the outcome is not a reflection of our efforts.”
“However, we take solace in the fact that 2027 is around the corner, and we will know what to do. We will regroup, reassess, and come back stronger.
“We consider this chapter closed, but our focus now shifts to supporting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in bringing Yahaya Bello to book. We will provide all necessary support to ensure accountability and transparency in governance,” Ajaka concluded.
