Despite Wednesday’s Election Petitions Tribunal decision overturning the February 25 Kogi Central senatorial election and declaring Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party the actual winner, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has assured that the All Progressives Congress will retain all three senatorial seats.
Senator Abubakar Ohere’s victory was declared null and void by the Chairman of the three-man judicial panel, Justice K. A. Orjiako, who said the APC candidate’s votes were inflated in nine polling units in Ajaokuta Local Government Area.
The judges added that Natasha’s votes were intentionally reduced in the areas by the Independent National Electoral Commission, as well as the results of three other polling units, which were deliberately omitted for her in the same LGA.
Meanwhile, Governor Bello, while speaking to State House Correspondents in Abuja on Thursday said, “I want to assure you that even judging from yesterday’s pronouncement at the appeal court, we’re going to have our three-over-three senate in Kogi State, I can assure you.”