Kogi Election: Fresh Twist As Faleke, Wada Claim Victory, Audu’s Son Nominated As APC’s Candidate

The controversy that trailed kogi governorship election – which was held last Saturday – is taking a new twist as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) are claiming victory, also some political bigwigs of the APC in Kogi East Senatorial District have nominated Mr Mohammed, 43, first son of Late Prince Abubakar Audu, to replace him as the party’s candidate.
If we recall, during November 21, election, APC candidate, Abubakar Audu had polled 240,867 votes, 41,353 votes higher than the PDP candidate and incumbent state governor, Idris Wada, who scored 199,514 votes.
Audu, unfortunately died shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the election inconclusive on Sunday, November 22, 2015.
Hence, INEC had to schedule a supplementary election in the state for December 5, 2015.
The Punch publication has it that James Faleke, the running mate of the late Audu, has opposed the proposed supplementary election, calling on the INEC to declare him winner of the November 21 poll.

Faleke, through his lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), insisted that there was no reason why INEC should have declared the election inconclusive, adding that the reason adduced by the electoral umpire for its action was alien and unconstitutional.

On the other hand, Daily Sun published that Governor Wada of the PDP also seek to be declared winner of the election.

According to him, by virtue of the death of the APC candidate, Audu, he should be declared winner.

PM News said that the Leaders of the APC in Kogi East Senatorial District nominated Mr Mohammed, 43, first son of Late Prince Abubakar Audu, to replace him as the party’s governorship candidate.

The leaders, stakeholders and delegates who made this known in Lokoja on Thursday after a marathon meeting, said they arrived at the decision after due consultations, adding that Mohammed was selected to replace his father if the National Working Committee orders fresh primaries.

In the meantime, Vanguard reports that the name of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the runner up in the APC governorship primary has been forwarded to the INEC as a replacement for Audu.
It was learnt that Bello was being projected by some elements in the party acting in concert with senior presidency officials.
According to The Nation, APC may take a decision today (Friday) after consultations, as Odigie-Oyegun and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party were said to be consulting some leaders of the party.
A top party leader said: “The National Chairman and some members of the NWC have been consulting party leaders across board on the way forward. The consultations were really tasking but we hope that by Friday we should arrive at a conclusion. We may make our decision known on Friday.”