Tag: 2019 ELECTIONS

  • Akpabio approaches tribunal to reclaim mandate

    The candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) for Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has approached the election tribunal sitting in Uyo to commence legal processes to challenge his loss at February 23 senatorial election.

    The suit at the tribunal was filed on the 16th of March by his lawyer, Mr. Sunday Ameh SAN, followed Senator Akpabio’s withdrawal of the case he earlier filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    The case at the Federal High Court had sought to challenge his Senate re-election loss.

    Akpabio is seeking to upturn the victory of Christopher Ekpenyong and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) based on perceived electoral irregularities which characterised the said election.

    The former Senate Minority Leader, had while the election was ongoing, besieged the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging cases of infractions and deliberate violations of the electoral law and guidelines during the senatorial election.

    In the said election, INEC had allegedly in collaboration with some PDP chieftains in the senatorial district, wrongfully declared Ekpeyong and his party, the PDP, winner of the poll, having scored 118,215 as against Akpabio’s 83,158.

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    However, Ameh SAN said the result sheets from Akwa Ibom INEC office showed different figures that had Akpabio securing 138,256 votes as against Ekpeyong’s 123,843.

    Akpabio’s counsel said his client is dissatisfied with the conduct and outcome of the election.

    ”The former governor of Akwa Ibom and his party has approached the election petition tribunal to ventilate their grievances as well as reclaim their stolen mandate.”

  • APC chieftain to INEC: you’ve a lot to tell Nigerians on Bauchi election

    A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC ) Yekini Nabena has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a lot of questions to answer on the conduct of the governorship election in Bauchi state and it’s decision to jettison the rerun it earlier ordered for Tafawa Balewa local government area.

    Nabena asked the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to forget the dream of taking over the governorship seat in Bauchi state, saying no magic can give the PDP Bauchi state having lost all other elections in the state.

    He faulted the INEC’s declaration of People Redemption Party (PRP) House of Representatives candidate in Bauchi’s Katagum Federal Constituency as winner of the election, saying such “should have been declared inconclusive became the number of cancelled votes, 5, 211 is more than the margin of lead which is 4, 704.”

    Nabena who is also the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party said if not that there was a grand plot to rig out governor Mohammed Abubakar, how come APC won 21 State House of Assembly seats compared to PDP’s 5 seats in the state in the election conducted on the same day?

    Speaking with newsmen in Abuja Nabena said the reported nonusage of Card Readers in Bauch Local Government Area “is a major issue that should not be disregarded by the electoral empire. The opposition PDP knew that if rerun election is held it will lose the election to APC.

    “Maybe the opposition felt that if that position had not be taken by INEC, they would have won. But that is not the issue. The issue of election is not about winning or losing. It is about having a free and fair election. So it is the free and fair conduct of the election that matters to all of us and to the whole world. I say so because if the election is not free and fair there will be no issue of inconclusive; it must be concluded. So we are challenging the INEC not to give PDP undue advantage in Bauchi governorship election.”

    He insisted that there is need for rerun in election at the Tafawa/Balewa LGA, Nabena said the Returning Officer for the area, Mrs Dominion Anosike, told the world how she was intimidated and harassed while collating the results.

    “She was even threatened. They threatened to rape her. She was a woman and she said it herself. The answer is there. There was tension everywhere in the place and she was forced to sign the document under that atmosphere.

    “I believe APC will win because APC has won 80 percent of the other elections except this election and this one has been declared inconclusive. Mark you, the results of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area has not been announced. But I tell you, you will be surprised if the result had been announced. We certainly would have won, that is why they are trying to deny us of the victory. If the hoodlums had not disrupted the process at the centre we would have won Tafawa Balewa. So I believe we will win Tafawa Balewa again”.

    On the already declared Katagum Federal House of Reps result in favour of PRP, Nabena described it as an error on the part of the INEC.

    “It is a clear case of inconclusive election because the margin between the PRP candidate and the APC candidate is less than the cancelled votes. So, we are demanding justice if INEC is not deliberately against the APC. “

  • Bauchi: Row over INEC’s decision to resume collation of result

    The decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to resume collation and announcement of result for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, which was hitherto cancelled, has sparked huge controversy in Bauchi State.

    Consequently, diverse groups have reacted to the development.

    The Body of Bauchi Lawyers of Conscience (BOBOLAC) had backed INEC’s reversal of the cancellation of the votes of the Governorship polls of Tafawa Balewa Local government area saying “We consider INEC’s decision as the best and most proper thing to do under the circumstances”

    Addressing Journalists on Monday over the development, the convener of the body, Shipi Rabo Esq, said INEC acted in accordance with the dictates of the law and in the greater interest of all in taking the decision in question.

    Shipi therefore called on all political actors to demonstrate the support, cooperation and understanding necessary for INEC to successfully conclude the process and formally announce the winner so the waiting game characterized by tension, rumours, would be over.

    Meanwhile, the Concern Citizens, Tafawa Balewa, has opposed and INEC’s decision saying it is “Ultra Vires” contrary to law and therefore illegal with no regards to the provision of Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and INEC guidelines for 2019 general elections.

    The group stated that INEC has no power to reverse any decision taken by a Returning officer concerning election result at the collation centre.

    Addressing a press conference on Monday, the Caretaker Chairman of the Concern citizens of Tafawa Balewa, Salihu Barau, said the law provides that such a decision can only be reversed by a court of law or Tribunal and not the Commission for whatever reason.

    “There is no certainty on the genuineness of the allegedly generated results. Thus, we have lost confidence in INEC as it is apparent there would be no justice in the whole exercise.”

    It would be recalled that a fact-finding committee was set up by the commission to investigate the circumstances that led to the cancellation of results for Tafawa Balewa Local government and following the findings of the committee, INEC had approved the resumption and conclusion of results for Tafawa Balewa in relation to the Governorship election.

    The Commission also directed that error in total number of cancelled votes in four polling units in Ningi Local government area which was recorded as 25,330, in form EC40G (i) be corrected to 2,533.

    The ruling All progressive Congress, APC, in Bauchi State is currently trailing the opposition People’s Democratic Party and its candidate, Bala Muhammed, with 4,059 votes.

    The APC and the incumbent governor, Mohammed Abubakar scored 465,453 votes against the PDP’s 469,512 votes.

    A total of 1,048,220 votes was cast in the Bauchi guber election with valid votes totalling 1,026,801.21.

    419 votes were rejected while 45,312 votes were cancelled but with the error of cancelled votes discovered in Ningi Local Government where the number of cancelled votes in four polling units were recorded as 25,330, in lieu of 2,533, the cancelled votes has been reduced to 22,515.

    The collation process which will commence on Tuesday 19th March will definitely determine if there would be a rerun or not.

  • Bauchi Governor briefs Buhari on inconclusive election

    The Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, on Monday, briefed President Muhammadu Buhari over the inconclusive elections declared in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    According to him, the electoral umpire introduced procedure not known to the laws of the land during the March 9th elections in the state.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said “I briefed him on the issues surrounding the inconclusive elections, the Returning Officer for Bauchi State at the end of collation, rejected the result of Tafawa Balewa local government and then 36 other units spread around 15 local governments of Bauchi state and ordered a rerun.

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    “Surprisingly, we woke up one morning and the independent electoral commission came up with a procedure that is not known to law.

    “Because, where a Returning Officer has declared the result, only an election petition tribunal can reverse the result. But INEC is attempting to reverse itself in the case of Bauchi. And when one juxtapose that of Bauchi and other states with inconclusive elections, one wonders why that is happening only in Bauchi State.

    “So, for that reason there is a need for me to come and brief Mr. President because that has the potential of touching on the security of the state and it is paramount we …”

    He added “Of course it is definitely extra illegal. It is a straight forward matter. The returning officer is the final arbiter even with respect to scores and declaration of result.

    “And once he makes a declaration, no power can reverse that declaration except duly constituted court of the land.

    On what he expects the President to do over the matter knowing that INEC is independent, he said “No no no. I said I came to brief Mr. President, I am not seeking any action of Mr. President. We all know Mr. President, he is a stickler for procedure.

    “What I pointedly told him was that I am not here to seek for you to interfere on our behalf sir but to brief you on what is happening and what actions I have taken.”

    Asked what actions he has taken, he said “One of which is that I am a lawyer and I am pursuing the legal angle. I briefed him and he emphasized on that legal angle that it is the best way to go.

    On the security of the state, the governor said “We are on top of the situation, thank God. We have since ordered the van on procession in the metropolis and things are very very calm.”

    He however said that his visit to the President was not indication that his visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over the issue last week was not fruitful.

    According to him, he was only following laid down procedures.

    He said “No no no. There are procedures in this matters and levels of authority. I am a stickler for procedure, I started at the right place and I have also ended up at the right place.”

    On how prepared he was for the rerun elections, he said “If they are going to do it now, we are ready. I don’t know who is afraid of anyone in Tafawa Balewa.

    Asked if he was confident to win the rerun election, he said “Insha Allah.”

  • Polls: Six NASS candidates file petition at tribunal

    A total of six candidates that lost during the National Assembly election have filed petitions at the Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal.

    The six candidates comprise three candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and three candidates of the All Progressives Congress.

    They are all asking the tribunal to declare them winner of their various elections for scoring majority of lawful votes.

    Those that have filed petitions for the House of Representatives are Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonyinma, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, Hon Idiake Patrick and Chief Blessing Agbomhere.

    The senatorial candidates that filed petitions are Engr. Abubakar Momoh for Edo North and Mr. John Inegbedion for Edo Central.

    In his petition against Jude Ise-Idehen of the PDP, Hon Agbonyinma urged the tribunal to declare him winner of the election.

    He said he wants to reclaim his mandate ‘that was stolen by some dubious characters in INEC in collaboration with some PDP leaders and security men and women.’

    According to him, “I have always said the APC won the Presidential election for Mr. President and I won the election for Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Constituency which I contested for.”

    Agbomhere said nobody in Estako Constituency voted for the APC in the February 23rd elections.

    He said he scored the highest votes cast.

    “There was massive corrupt practices and thump printing of ballot papers by leadership of the APC. Nobody in Estako voted for the APC.

    “I am asking the tribunal to declare me winner of the election.”

    Engr Momoh who contested against incumbent Senator Francis Alimikhena, insisted that he won the election because he scored over 80,000 votes which has been the required numbers to win election in Edo North since 1999.

    “I have the required votes anybody has gotten since 1999. I am asking the tribunal to expunge all the votes the APC allocated to themselves

    “Once you have votes up to 80,000 in Edo North, you have won. Whatever’s they have is a product of manipulation.”

    Inegbedion who is challenging the election of Senator Clifford Ordia of the PDP in Edo Central said he would prove malpractices and thump printing of ballot papers during the election.

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    He said he won the election.

    Omosede who lost to Dennis Idahosa of the APC said she won majority of lawful votes in the election and that the results were not a true reflection of the people of Ovia Constituency.

    Her words, “There are several grounds which we intend to challenge the election. First thing is the candidate of the APC. There are so many things we know that tell us he was not worthy to contest the election.

    “We want to contest the results which was not a reflection of Ovia Constituency. The people of Ovia came out to vote for the PDP. Where the discrepancies came from in Ovia South West were unfounded. I have several projects and there was no reason for us to lose the election.

    “This mandate will be recovered. We are going to prove that he is not worthy to be at the House of Representatives. I am asking the tribunal to declare me the winner.

  • INEC issues Certificates of Return to senators-elect

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has urged Senators-elect to commence and conclude work on the review of the electoral legal framework early, ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

    INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call on Thursday at a ceremony for the Issuance of Certificate of Return to Senators-elect at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    Yakubu said that late conclusion of the review of the electoral law would affect the commission’s implementation of the framework.

    He said that as a matter of urgency, the commission would begin work on post 2019 elections review and road map to 2023.

    “There is a lot of work but very little time available. As a process governed by law, the success of election in Nigeria depends to a large extent on the electoral legal framework and most importantly, in ensuring adherence to the law.

    “I want to assure you that we will continue to work with the National Assembly to review and strengthen our Electoral Law.

    “But I want to appeal to the Senators-elect to please start work early and conclude work on the electoral framework in good time well ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Read Also: Okorocha missing as senators-elect receive certificates of return

    “The tendency to delay electoral reform, particularly the review of the electoral framework, until it is too close to the elections, leaves the commission with little time to develop processes including regulations and guidelines, make required consultation with stakeholders, embark on effective voter education including sensitisation, train staff and organise deployment for the elections.

    “I am glad that among the senators-elect are senators that we have worked very closely with and some of them have taken initiative or even sponsoring private member bills to advance the cause of electoral reform,” he said.

    The chairman said that the commission looked forward to working very closely with the senators-elect in deepening the country’s electoral process.

    He congratulated the lawmakers for their election victory to serve the nation.

    Among those issued the certificate of return are: Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, Enugu West (PDP); Mohammed Sabo, Jigawa South West (APC); Philip Aduda, FCT(PDP) and Sen. Dino Malaiye Kogi West (PDP).

    Others are: Baba Kaita, Kastina North (APC); Omo-Agege Ovie Delta Central(APC); Ibrahim Gandam, Yobe North (APC); Abdul’Aziz Yari Zamfara North (APC); Kaura Yahaya, Zamfara West(APC) and Ifeanyi Uba, Anambra South (YPP).

    The issueance of Certificate of return to the members of the House of Representatives will commence at 2 p.m

  • Okorocha missing as senators-elect receive certificates of return

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made good it’s word by not recognizing the election of Rochas Okorocha into the Senate.

    Imo state governor’s name was missing among the Senate-elect who received their certificate of returns at the International Conference Centre Thursday.

    Okorocha was said to have won one of the senatorial seats in Imo state.

    Consequently, INEC placed an embargo on his victory at the poll.

    Details shortly…..

  • Don’t be so fast, you haven’t won Adamawa yet, group tells PDP

    A group, Coalition of Christian Youths for All Progressives Congress, has condemned the demand of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare its candidate winner of the Adamawa State governorship election.

    The PDP candidate, Umaru Fintiri, attained the lead votes in that election, but INEC declared the election inconclusive because the margin of lead was lower than the number of registered voters in polling units where voting was cancelled, following which the PDP demanded that its candidate be declared winner because its candidate’s margin of lead was higher than number of people who collected their PVCs in the affected polling units.

    Reacting to PDP’s position, however, the northern leader of the Coalition of Christian Youths for All Progressives Congress, Càleb Adamu, accused PDP of being desperate and running faster than its legs by asking to be declared winner of an election it has not won.

    “How desperate can PDP be to want to take the laws into their hands on an election that was declared inconclusive in 44 polling units across some LGAs in the State?” he said, adding that PDP could not rightly claim that it knows electoral laws than INEC.

    “They should please allow INEC to do their job,” he said.

    Caleb sided with the APC which had earlier faulted the conduct of the election in more places than the 44 units where INEC had cancelled voting, asking that the election be cancelled altogether.

    He called on INEC to do a rerun election in all the 21 LGAs in the state, lamenting that the entire process had been crooked, “with dozens of complaints and petitions submitted by political parties which participated in the election.

    Twenty nine political parties participated in the election, and by the time it was declared inconclusive on Monday morning, the PDP had attained 367,471 votes; APC 334,995; ADC 113,205; and SDP 29,785; but INEC said the margin of lead between the two leading parties: PDP and APC, which was 32,467; was lower than the number of registered voters, 40,948, in polling units where voting was cancelled.

  • Police to prosecute 18 suspects for ballot box snatching in Oyo

    The Oyo state Police Command on Wednesday said over 18 suspects have been arrested for various electoral offences during the Saturday’s governorship/state House of Assembly elections in the state.

    The police command said all the 18 suspects would face criminal prosecution after conclusion of investigation.

    Their offences ranged from ballot box snatching, violence and other related electoral fraud committed in different parts of the state during the Saturday poll.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Shina Olukolu who spoke through the Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO) , Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi, a Superintendent of Police (SP) explained that the suspects who were been held at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) were arrested at various polling units during the Saturday poll.

    He said the names of suspects were still being withheld by the police not to tamper with the ongoing investigation.

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    According to the state police boss, seven guns, 30 live cartridges, and some other miscellaneous items were recovered from the suspects.

    He further disclosed that the suspects who are currently held at the SCIID would soon be transferred to Abuja for further investigation in line with the directives from the Inspector General of Police (IG) before prosecution.

    ” I can confidently tell you that 18 suspects were arrested in connection with electoral offences during the last governorship/state House of Assembly poll in different parts of the state. And seven guns, 30 live cartridges and some miscellaneous items were recovered from them.

    “The State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) is handling the investigation and the suspects will later be transferred to Abuja for further investigation before prosecution,” he stated.

  • Reps to amend Electoral Law over inconclusive elections

    The House of Representatives is set to amend the Electoral Act over spate of unconcluded elections in the 2019 general elections.

    The House would set up a Committee to look into the issues leading to the declaration of inconclusive election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the view of ascertaining areas to be amended in the Electoral Act.

    This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance by Sunday Karimi (PDP, Kogi) who said INEC does not possess the powers to declare elections inconclusive.

    The lawmakers were in agreement that the trend of inconclusive elections should be urgently addressed.

    The proponents of the motion said INEC lacked the powers to cancel votes at collation centers and should desist from elevating its election guidelines about the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

    However, the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila and those who spoke against the motion urged their colleagues to be mindful of the fact that INEC was empowered by law to declare elections inconclusive, an action backed by the pronouncement of the Supreme Court.

    “Since the November 2015 gubernatorial election in Kogi State inconclusive elections has become a demon hunting the Nigerian electoral system, eroding the confidence of the electorate in the electoral system and has become a tool for subverting the will of the people during elections in Nigeria.

    “Prior to the 2015 Gubernatorial Election in Kogi State, there were very few isolated cases of inconclusive and re-run elections in Nigeria, due to over-voting in some polling units and wards, and also due to non-voting in some words. This was the case in Ekiti State in 2009, Anambra in 2010 and Imo in 2011.

    “The escalating trend of inconclusive elections has cast a shadow on the neutrality of INEC as an umpire in the Nigerian election process.

    “The frequency of cases of inconclusive elections in Nigeria has created in the electorate lack of confidence in the election process.

    “The apprehension and deprivation caused by the rising case of inconclusive elections in Nigeria is a potential security risk in the country.

    He said he was aware that the Electoral Act in Section 153 gives the INEC power to make regulations, guidelines and manuals for the conduct of elections in Nigeria and as a result, the Commission issued the 2015 General Election Guidelines and the 2019 General Election Guidelines, as Subsidiary Legislation to the Electoral Act.

    “The March 9 General Elections, out of the 29 gubernatorial elections conducted, five gubernatorial elections in Sokoto, Benue, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and Adamawa States, elections were declared inconclusive despite leading candidates having met the provisions of Section 179(2) of the Constitution, thereby causing apprehension, insecurity and eroding the confidence of the electorate in the Commission.

    “We are aware that as a result of the power of the Commission to issue guidelines, the INEC 2015 Guidelines in pages 22-23 paragraph 4, Section N, direct the Returning Officer to where the margin of win between the two leading candidates is not in excess of the total number of registered voters of the polling units where elections were cancelled or not held, decline to make a return until another poll has taken place in the affected polling units and results incorporated into a new form EC 8d and subsequently record in EC 8e for declaration.

    “This provision of the Election Guideline which was reproduced in the 2019 Guidelines is the basis for which the Commission whimsically declares election inconclusive.

    “It a source of concern that paragraph 4 of Section N of the 2015 General Election Guidelines is causing apprehension and lack of confidence in the nations electoral system, since Sections 134,179 and 111 of the Constitution provides for the emergence of the winner of Presidential, Gubernatorial and Area Council Elections in Nigeria.

    “The Constitution provides that the winner of the Election into Chief Executives offices in Nigeria shall emerge where the winner has majority votes of the total votes cast, scores one quarter of votes cast in each of at least two third of the votes in all States, Local Government and Wards respectfully.

    “Also, section 26(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 provides that where a date has been approved for the holding of an election and there is reason to believe that there will be serious breach of peace if the election is proceeded with that day, or that it is impossible to conduct the elections due to natural disaster or other emergencies, the Commission may postpone the election and fix a new date for the election.

    “The combined effect of Section 134,179, 111 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended) and 26(1) as well as Section 53(2)&(3) of the Electoral Act shows that inconclusive elections is not envisaged in our laws, except where there was over-voting in a polling unit, not where votes already cast were cancelled.

    “The Commission should not be allowed to continue to whimsically declare elections inconclusive”.

    His prayer that INEC be told not to subvert the will of the people by resorting to the provisions of the Guidelines (relating to inconclusive elections) but to adhere to the Constitution and allow aggrieved parties to proceed to the relevant Election Tribunals in order to ensure peace and security and to promote the credibility of the electoral process, was rejected though.

    Following the same argument against INEC, Aliyu Madaki (PDP, Kano) said declaration of inconclusive elections by the electoral body amounts to military rule dictatorship, which the people of Kano State would resist.

    He said: “We are talking about the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari – his integrity, if he has any, is being questioned seriously.

    “If he is watching, he has been declared as a winner while the margin of victory is less than the number of canceled votes all over Nigeria but he has been declared winner and our candidates of PDP in six States of northern Nigerian have been declared as inconclusive.

    “From information available to me, in the next two weeks when we are going for the election they will use every resource available and declare APC as winners in these elections. Let me sound a note of warning that we will not take it”.

    Mohammed Soba (Kaduna) said INEC must be resisted on the inconclusive election if the law states that valid votes from polling units cannot be cancelled while it would rather act on its own guidelines

    Henry Achibong (PDP, Akwa Ibom) wondered if INEC was ever independent, while suggesting that the electoral laws be reviewed.

    Adamu Chika (Niger) also reiterated that elections cannot be cancelled at collation centers, adding that whoever is found culpable in the cancellation must be brought to book, “We must stop inconclusive elections,” he added.

    Diri Douye (PDP, Bayelsa) urged his colleagues not to form opinions along party lines but to see themselves as Nigerians first, adding that electronic voting is the solution to electoral challenges facing the country.

    Umar Barde (PDP, Kaduna) Deputy Minority Leader and Tajudeen Yusuf also spoke against INEC on the issue.

    However, House Leader Gbajabiamila captured the arguments of Femi Adebanjo ((APC , Lagos), Idris Wase, Muhammad Monguno (APC, Borno), Babale Bashir (APC, Kano), among others that the issue at stake is not for the House to decide since the Supreme court has interpreted the law in previous election matter.

    The opponents of the motion suggested that the parliament should rather look at how to amend the Electoral Act with a view of making inconclusive elections irrelevant to our electoral process.

    Gbajabiamila said since everyone is concerned about the situation, all the lawmakers were in agreement with the trend only that the approach to the solution may differ.

    “The debate today centered on the interpretation of the law but unfortunately, since we run a democracy, we are not empowered to interpret the law but that is what’s done here today.

    “While inconclusive elections should be a thing of the past, how do we get there? It’s to get the electoral law amended within weeks.

    “The Supreme court has already ruled on it when INEC used it’s guidelines to declare the 2015 Kogi gubernatorial election inconclusive by looking at all the processes.

    “So, there’s a position already and the only solution is to amend the law and have Supreme Court change its interpretation.

    “Even on cancellation of results, INEC is still empowered according to the Supreme Court, and that’s how Faleke lost his case.

    “My advice is, let us tarry for a while and allow the arm of government that has the authority and the power to complete its job.

    We must take a legislative approach through amendment to address all the areas of concern.

    “Before now, the APC caucus discussed it yesterday (Tuesday) because it’s an important issue involving too many sSates,” he added.

    The motion was unanimously adopted following the amendment to its prayers after a voice vote.