In their judgment, the three-member panel of justices concurred with the state election tribunal, stating that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, failed to substantiate their allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
The appellate court found the petitioners’ witnesses to be incompetent because their statements were not submitted in accordance with electoral laws.
Additionally, the court noted that the allegation of certificate forgery against Ododo should have been addressed at the Federal High Court as a pre-election matter.
Consequently, the Appeal Court ruled that the appellants could not prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, thus upholding Ododo’s election.