In a riveting display of democratic fervor, the Governorship Election in Kogi State on November 11, 2023, has witnessed a neck-and-neck competition between the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) Murtala Yakubu Ajaka and his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Ahmed Usman Ododo. The unfolding drama comes as results from 18 out of the 21 local government areas (LGAs) have been officially announced.
The collation process, which commenced on Sunday morning after a brief adjournment, has heightened the suspense surrounding the electoral outcome. The stakes are particularly high for Ajaka and Ododo, with both candidates vying for the coveted position.
As of now, the LGAs of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Idah, Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Kogi, Mopa-Muro, Olamaboro, Ofu, Okehi, Omala, Ogori/Magongo, Okene, Yagba East, and Yagba West have reported their results. However, the outcome hinges on the awaited results from Ibaji, Igalamela-Odolu, and Lokoja LGAs.
The State Returning Officer, Prof Johnson Urama, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is overseeing the process. The electoral landscape is not solely dominated by Ajaka and Ododo; strong contenders include Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Party (ADC) and Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In parallel events, governorship elections took place in Bayelsa State and Imo State on the preceding Saturday. Notably, Governor Hope Uzodimma of the APC secured victory in Imo State, triumphing over Samuel Anyanwu of the PDP and other contestants.
The released results from various Kogi LGAs illustrate the diverse political landscape:
1 Okehi LGA
ADC – 689
APC – 53,062
PDP – 2,722
2 Ajaokuta LGA
APC – 23,211
PDP – 483
SDP – 8,869
3 Dekina LGA
APC – 9174
PDP – 498
SDP – 47,480
4 Okene LGA
APC – 138,416
PDP – 1,463
SDP – 271
5 Ankpa LGA
APC – 8,707
PDP – 3,654
SDP – 43,258
6 Olamaboro LGA
APC – 5,572
PDP – 1,376
SDP – 22,173
7 Omala LGA
APC – 2,902
PDP – 832
SDP – 18,160
8. Bassa LGA
APC – 9,515
PDP – 3,605
SDP – 7,543
9 Kogi (Koton Karfe) LGA
APC – 14,769
PDP – 2,974
SDP – 8,441
10 Ofu LGA
APC – 5,245
PDP – 293
SDP – 28,768
11 Mopa Muro LGA
ADC – 2,027
APC – 5,077
PDP – 1,562
12 Adavi LGA
APC – 101,156
PDP – 1,005
SDP – 268
13 Ijumu LGA
ADC – 1,898
APC – 10,524
PDP – 6,909
14 Yagba East LGA
ADC – 7,453
APC – 7,096
PDP – 2,615
15 Kabba-Bunu LGA
ADC – 1,537
APC – 12,376
PDP – 8,566
16 Yagba West LG
ADC – 4,556
APC – 7,969
PDP – 3,010
17 Idah LGA
APC – 2033
PDP – 271
SDP – 20,059
18 Ogori Magongo LGA
APC – 362
PDP – 86
SDP – 195
The political landscape in Kogi State remains unpredictable as the anticipation builds for the announcement of results from the remaining LGAs, determining the fate of the closely contested governorship race.