Sen. Atai Aidoko

Sen. Atai Aidoko, representing Kogi East in the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has denied reports of his sack by the Court of Appeal.

Debunking the report, the lawmaker told newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja that the news came to him as a shock hence the necessity to put the record straight.

According to him, the Court of Appeal contrary to the reports making the rounds only asked me and my opponent, Sen. Isaac Alfa, to go back to the Federal High Court in view of the fact that it was a pre-election matter.

”Yesterday I was awakened by calls by well-wishers that my seat had been declared vacant.

”I did not take it seriously initially but when reputable media organisations started carrying it, I knew it was a serious issue.

”We are all aware that I came in as a result of victory from Court of Appeal.

“The court at that time decided that the Federal High Court did not have the jurisdiction to determine who the candidate of the party was.

”Based on that, the court ordered that INEC should issue me a Certificate of Return which was duly issued and I was sworn in.

”My opponent went to the Supreme Court and the court dismissed his appeal in June.

“The court gave an order that we should go back to the Federal High Court so that the case will be heard by calling evidence which the court didn’t do initially,” he said.

Aidoko explained that the case was currently before the Federal High Court in obedience to the decision of the Supreme Court.

He added that he approached the Court of Appeal over the matter and they were also directed to go back to the Federal High Court and continue with the case.

The lawmaker called on well wishers to disregard the news, saying that he was still the senator representing Kogi East.

He said, ”I was shocked to hear that my seat was declared vacant.

”If a court decides that a seat is vacant, there two things – either we are asked to conduct election in 90 days or that one person is replaced by another.

”The news that is out is to cause unnecessary tension and has caused me stress.’’

Aidoko promised to continue to represent his constituents to ensure that they benefitted from the dividends of democracy.