Preparations And Undercurrents In The Kogi Supplementary Election

That the November 21 gubernatorial election in Kogi State has become a test case for a lacuna in the country’s constitution and the Electoral Act is no longer an issue. What is the problem is the way and manner stakeholders are handling the development.

Why the All Progressive Congress (APC) is ready to replace Late Abubakar Audu in preparation for the supplementary election as directed by INEC, the Peoples Democratic Party has approached the Court to declare it’s candidate winner because it is the second runner up in the votes already counted for which the APC was leading by 41, 353 votes.

In this, they believe their candidate the incumbent Governor who is still alive has the highest number of votes, while the APC whose candidate has died is not considered to be in the race.

All these for APC are legal solutions which for the party leaders are non-issues for now because they believe it is better to explore the political solution first as their formidable legal team would be on hand when the real legal fireworks commence.

In tandem with that, the APC in the eastern senatorial district had unanimously endorsed the candidature of the first son of late Prince Abubakar Audu, Mallam Muhammed Abubakar Audu to step into the shoes of his father as the APC candidate for the Kogi State supplementary governorship election.‎

This was contained in a communique which was read by Comrade Isah Daniel Zonal Chairman of the Party.

According to the communique, a number of resolutions were arrived at in the meeting which expressed profound gratitude to INEC and the National Working Committee of APC for the opportunity to substitute the deceased candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu.

Continuing the communique read, “After due consultation with APC leaders, party executive, delegates and party stalwarts from Kogi East, it was unanimously agreed that the deceased candidate Prince Abubakar Audu be substituted by his son Muhammed Abubakar Audu.

A member of the House of Representatives representing Dekina Federal Constituency on the platform of the APC, Honorable Benjamin Ikanni said the logjam can not lead to ethnic crises. He said the state belong to everyone, adding that he is one of those who share the belief that anybody from any part of the state could become governor.

However he said at the moment the State was facing a different scenario which does not give outright opportunity for tribal sentiments to be heralded.

According to him, even if Kogi election is repeated 10 times APC will win over and over again.

“As it stands today, the directives by the national working committee of the party to the state wing is very clear which is to replace the deceased candidate of the party. “Whether the replacement is going to come through a fresh primary the party has given the direction.

“I do not think Faleke would make the mistake of giving up the position he is occupying today because by the virtue of the interpretation of the law and the instructions of INEC Faleke is still standing as the deputy governorship candidate.”

On the chance of Yahaya Bello alias Fairplus who came second in the primary he said he has the opportunity to be governor if there should be another open primary where he can participate. However he said in the current case, it is not something that can be given to anybody.