By Abubakar Yunusa
Comrade Usman Okai, the immediate candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Dekina/Bassa federal constituency, has congratulated Chief Barrister Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan on her victory at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday in Lokoja.
The Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday nullified the victory of Senator Abubakar Ohere as the winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial election.
The Tribunal Chairman, Justice K. A. Orjiako, who read the unanimous judgment of the 3-man panel, stated that Ohere’s results were inflated in 9 polling units of Ajaokuta LGA, while Natasha’s results were intentionally reduced in 9 of the same polling units by INEC. Additionally, results from 3 other polling units were deliberately not entered for Natasha in the same LGA.
Okai, in a congratulatory message shared with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, said the PDP candidate truly deserved the victory.
He mentioned that Senator Natasha Uduagha deserved the victory despite the intimidation, harassment, and violence unleashed on her numerous supporters. He also criticized the shenanigans perpetrated by Governor Yahaya Bello and his elements within and outside the state. He emphasized that Natasha emerged victorious because the people of Kogi Central stood by her.
“With the return of the stolen mandate, the people will truly get a true representative. Undaunted by all of that, you ran a clean, peaceful, issues-based campaign. You were, by far, the most popular and most qualified of the Senate candidates, hence your election. You truly deserved your victory as declared by the Tribunal today.
“The desperation of Yahaya Bello and the anointed candidate is highly despicable, and I hope the all-round demolition of all their claims will make them take the humble pie, by not venturing to approach the Appeal court and putting an end to any further unpatriotic pursuit capable of holding Kogi Central down on growth and development.
“The path is now clear for focused piloting and representing the good people of Kogi Central at the upper chamber, piloting their affairs to the much-expected higher levels.
“Hearty congratulations to all and sundry,” he said.
