Murtala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Kogi State, was assaulted today at the Supreme Court by supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The attack occurred shortly after the Supreme Court upheld the election of Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Kogi State.
Ajaka had contested the result of the November 11, 2023, election, which declared Ododo the winner.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, affirmed Ododo’s victory and dismissed Ajaka’s appeal to void the election.
But, in a swift reaction, Kingsley Fanwo, Director, Media and Publicity of the Kogi APC Campaign Council, said SDP supporters were the ones assaulting APC supporters.
”During the ruling, the Court had advised all parties and their supporters present in the courtroom to remain seated until all matters before it were fully addressed.
”However, the SDP candidate, Murtala Ajaka, ignored this advice and left the courtroom with his supporters as soon as the judgment was pronounced against him.
”Upon noticing the jubilant APC members within the court premises, Ajaka’s supporters allegedly unleashed violence, attacking the celebrating APC members and causing significant disruption,” he said in a terse statement.