The Supreme Court of Nigeria has begun deliberations on the contentious governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States, which took place in 2023.
The electoral disputes revolve around the legitimacy of Governor Douye Diri's victory in Bayelsa State and Governor Usman Ododo's win in Kogi State, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Challenging the INEC's decision are Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, and Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Despite their efforts, the Governorship Election Petition Tribunals and the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, upheld INEC's declaration on various grounds.