Allegations of witness attacks in Kogi election tribunal raised by SDP

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate Murtala Ajaka have issued a strong plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security agencies to intervene and put a stop to the alleged attacks on its witnesses during the ongoing Kogi Election tribunal proceedings.

The party, through a statement by the Director New Media of Muri/Sam Campaign Council, Isaiah Davies Ijele, highlighted the distressing situation where witnesses from Kogi Central have faced intimidation and harassment from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The SDP raised serious concerns over the violent acts and intimidation faced by its witnesses, who have bravely stepped forward to testify about overvoting and irregularities in the November 11, 2023 election.

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Incidents of property vandalism, arson, and even physical assault on a pregnant woman have been reported, painting a grim picture of the situation that is instilling fear and hindering the fair judicial process in the region.

Moreover, the party pointed out significant discrepancies in the BVAS data, suggesting potential overvoting across all wards and polling units examined so far, casting doubt on the credibility of the election results announced by INEC.

The submission of a fake affidavit by the APC candidate, Mr. Usman Ododo, which was debunked by the High Court Registrar at the tribunal, further undermines the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.

Additionally, the revelation that a supposed governor lacks substantial proof of his academic qualifications and resorts to presenting false documents raises serious concerns for the democratic values in Nigeria, particularly in Kogi state.