The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has affirmed the victory of Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial election held in February.

The three-member panel, in a judgment, upheld the judgment of the state’s election tribunal and dismissed the appeal filed by Sen. Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Nation reports Natasha filed her petition at the National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Kogi challenging the declaration of Ohere as winner of the election.

She sought among other reliefs a declaration that she won the election and ought to be declared the winner of the election having scored the highest valid votes cast in the election.

Not satisfied with the tribunal judgement, Ohere approached the appellate court to dismiss the decision of the lower court and affirm his declaration as the validly elected Senator for the Kogi Central Senatorial district.

Ruling on the appeal on Tuesday, the Appeal Court dismissed the appeal by Ohere and his party, the APC.

The court held that the appeal lacked merit and upheld the ruling of the tribunal.

THE NATION