Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has issued a stern condemnation of the violent attack on Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the November 11, 2023, governorship election.
The incident occurred on Friday, August 23, 2024, shortly after the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in favor of Governor Ododo in a case filed by Ajaka challenging the election’s conduct and outcome.
Ajaka, who had taken his case from the election petition tribunal through the Appeal Court and up to the Supreme Court, was reportedly assaulted by political thugs within the premises of the Supreme Court. The attack, which has sparked widespread outrage, took place just after the court’s ruling.
In response to the incident, Governor Ododo, through a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, expressed his deep concern and condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms.
He described the actions of the attackers as “barbaric, uncivilized, and a grave danger to the institution of justice.”
Governor Ododo called on law enforcement agencies to promptly identify and arrest the perpetrators, ensuring they face the full consequences of their actions. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity and safety of court environments across the country.
“As a Government, we implore the law enforcement agencies to fish out the perpetrators and make them face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to others as well as protect the integrity and safety of our court environments across the country,” the statement read.
Governor Ododo also urged Nigerians to reject violence and embrace constitutionalism and unity, aligning with the core values of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He called for national support for the government’s policies aimed at the progress and development of Nigeria.