The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate in the November 11, 2023 election in Kogi State, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Kogi State government’s request to halt the inspection of materials used in the election.
In response to the APC and Kogi State government’s appeal to cancel the inspection, SDP emphasized that such a request cannot supersede the court’s order mandating the inspection exercise.
The party, through its Governorship Campaign Council Spokesperson, Faruk Adejoh-Audu, issued a statement in Abuja asserting that APC and Kogi’s request was baseless and contradictory to the court’s directive.

The APC, represented by Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, had urged INEC to disallow SDP’s legal team from continuing the inspection, citing concerns that it could favor the opposition party in the ongoing legal battle over the election.
In response, SDP condemned the call by APC and Kogi State, labeling it as a desperate attempt to obstruct the judicial review process and delay the resolution of the petition within the stipulated 180 days.
The party accused the Kogi State government of resorting to underhanded tactics, including allegedly dressing political thugs in SDP’s T-shirts to disrupt the inspection exercise.
Highlighting the unprecedented measures taken to safeguard the election materials, SDP emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
The party expressed confidence that despite the attempts to derail the judicial review, the SDP’s petition would be adjudicated within the statutory timeframe.
SDP challenged the Kogi State authorities to subject themselves to judicial scrutiny, asserting that their actions aimed at impeding the electoral review process would not succeed.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the integrity of the electoral system in Kogi State.
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