Wada challenges Bello’s return as governor-elect at tribunal

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi has challenged the return of Alhaji Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the November 21, and December 5, state governorship election in a petition he foled at the Governorship Election Tribunal.

The Secretary of the Kogi State Governorship Petitions Tribunal, Mr Akanji Akinlabi,, on Wednesday in Lokoja said that the petition was filed at about 7:15 pm on Tuesday.

He said that the petition which was signed by Chief Chris Uche (SAN) who led two other Senior Advocates of Nigeria had the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the APC as respondents.

However, Akinlabi said he cannot disclose the grounds of the petition and reliefs being sought by the petitioners to the public.

The November 21 governorship election was declared inconclusive by INEC and later concluded on December 5, after a supplementary election in 91 polling units across 18 local councils in the state.

The APC flag bearer in the election, Audu, died on November 22, shortly before INEC declared the election inconclusive.

Mr James Faleke, running mate to the APC candidate in the election, late Prince Abubakar Audu, filed his petition on Monday challenging the decision of INEC in declaring the November 21, election inconclusive.

Faleke who held that INEC erred in the declaration on the grounds that the election by all standards was concluded even as he urged the tribunal to so declare and that the APC on the Audu/Faleke ticket won the election.