From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi state, Alhaji Murtala Ajaka who was violently attacked at the premises of the Supreme Court on Friday has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other relevant security agencies to investigate the incident.
Even as his appeal appeal against the election of Governor Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was dismissed by the apex court, Ajaka and his supporters were attacked by one, Bashiru Gegu and his thugs.
In a statement on Saturday in Abuja, Ajaka said condemned the attack on his person in the strongest terms.
According to him, “This was not only an attack on my person but also an assault on democracy itself. I urge the Inspector General of Police and relevant security agencies to investigate this matter thoroughly, ensuring that culprits are brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others.
“In a democratic society, attacks on a governorship candidate, because he explored a legal means to reclaim his stolen mandate are inexcusable and will not be tolerated”, he added.
Commenting on the judgment of the Supreme Court which affirmed Ododo as the validly elected governor of Kogi state, Ajaka said, even though he respect the decision of the apex court and its role in upholding the rule of law, he categorically reject the outcome of the judgement.
In his words, “The world has witnessed the miscarriage of justice in our nation’s judiciary system, and we cannot help but feel a deep sense of disappointment and disillusionment.
“The judgement has left many questions unanswered and has further eroded the trust of the Nigerian people in the judiciary.
“We reject the out come even though we have no other options available we will abide by the decision of the apex court”, Ajaka stated.
He commended his legal and media teams for their tireless efforts, expertise, and commitment to the cause of reclaiming his stolen mandate.
“To my supporters, I feel your pain and disappointment. We did our best, leaving no stone unturned, but the system failed us. We fought a good fight, but the outcome is not a reflection of our efforts.
“However, we take solace in the fact that 2027 is around the corner, and we will know what to do. We will regroup, reassess, and come back stronger.
“We consider this chapter closed, but our focus now shifts to supporting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in bringing Yahaya Bello to book. We will provide all necessary support to ensure accountability and transparency in governance”, he said.