The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State has alleged that its supporters were attacked by members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) outside the Supreme Court following the court’s decision to uphold the election of Usman Ododo as governor of Kogi State.
On Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by Murtala Ajaka, the SDP governorship candidate, challenging Ododo’s victory in the state’s gubernatorial election.
After the ruling, bottles were reportedly thrown at Ajaka outside the courtroom, escalating tensions between supporters of both parties.
In a statement released by Kingsley Fanwo, Director of Media and Publicity for the Kogi APC Campaign Council, the party claimed that SDP supporters initiated the violence after noticing the jubilant mood among APC members.
Fanwo condemned the actions, describing them as “undemocratic and uncivilized.”
“Upon noticing jubilant APC members within the court premises, Ajaka’s supporters unleashed violence, attacking the celebrating APC members and causing significant disruption,” Fanwo stated.
However, the SDP has denied these allegations.
Isaiah Ijele, spokesperson for the SDP governorship campaign council in Kogi, refuted the APC’s claims, labeling them as “false and pretentious.”
Ijele argued that it was Ajaka and his supporters who were the victims of the attack by APC members.
“We should be the ones complaining and condemning the actions of APC supporters on our supporters, not the other way around,” Ijele asserted.
The incident has further highlighted the tense political atmosphere in Kogi State following the contentious governorship election.