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  • Wada: INEC’s decision puts Nigeria’s democracy on trial

    Wada: INEC’s decision puts Nigeria’s democracy on trial

    Kogi is tottering, Attah Igala warns

    The Attah Igala and President of Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers, Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni II, has cautioned politicians against overheating the polity.

    The monarch said power belongs to God and that He gives it to whoever He pleases any time.

    Addressing a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital, at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) state headquarters, the monarch warned that Kogi State was tottering because of the November 21 elelction.

    He regretted that politicians’ quest for power in the state was capable of tearing it apart.

    Ameh urged politicians, especially those at the centre of the governorship crisis, to retrace their steps to avoid plunging the state into further chaos.

    He said: “Power is given by God to whoever He wishes any time He wants. Whatever is the outcome of the governorship election in the state, it is ordained by God and we expected the politicians to accept it.

    “It is because of the way we are tottering; please, it is not good. On our part, we should tell the people to be peaceful.

    “There is no traditional ruler who would say peace should not reign. Things can be settled peacefully.

    “I am appealing to people to remain resolute in maintaining peace in the state because peace is golden. Let us obey the rules and regulations of elections in the interest of peace and the state.”

    •Declare Faleke governor-elect, group urges INEC

    Kogi State Governor Idris Wada has said the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the November 21 governorship election is putting the nation’s democracy on trial.

    A statement on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja by the governor’s Chief Communications Manager, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, quoted the governor as saying INEC should not have followed the directive of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) without considering its demerits.

    Wada noted that there was a rumour that the AGF’s action was part of an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to win the Kogi poll at all cost.

    The governor faulted the decision of INEC to allow APC to substitute its candidate in the middle of an election, saying such a directive was null and void because of its alleged inconsistency with the Constitution.

    He said INEC’s decision ignored the fact that its action could denigrate the commission – and democracy – just because it was playing into a grand design by the ruling APC to take over Kogi State.

    Wada said: “There is something terribly awry in a system in which a body set up to uphold the rule of law and protect the sanctity of people’s votes is the same that has undermined it.”

    The statement said the Electoral Act was clear that because of the death of APC’s candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, Wada should be declared winner of the election, being the only surviving candidate with majority of lawful votes cast in the election.

    It said whatever votes Audu scored in the election died with him.

    The statement wondered why INEC, a body established to be the custodian of the rule of law, ignored the fundamentals of the rule of law in arriving at the decision not to issue him a certificate of return.

    It added: “It is disheartening, therefore, to see an institution that is financed by the Nigerian people to assail and flagrantly treat the Constitution with disdain as well as arrogate to itself the powers of the court. The pertinent question is: What is INEC attempting to hide? Whose interest(s) is INEC trying to protect? We assert, very strongly, that it is not the desire of the Nigerian people, to whom sovereignty belongs.

    “INEC should know that an electoral umpire is expected to be impartial unto death. INEC is like a judge, required to do justice and be fair to all concerned. INEC is a referee, expected to apply the rules and respect the rights of all parties. INEC is the coordinator of an orchestra expected to ensure the best performance of the ensemble.”

    Also, a group, The Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Groups (COSEG), has urged INEC to declare James Abiodun Faleke Kogi State governor-elect.

    Faleke was the running mate to the late All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, in the November 21 poll.

    In a statement by its Chairman and Secretary, Ifedayo Ogunlana and Rasak Olokoba, COSEG noted that INEC “confirmed that the joint ticket of Audu and Faleke won the Kogi election with more than 41,000 votes, which is far higher than the 25,000 Permanent Voters Cards’ owners who have not yet voted”.

    It added: “This is the most lawful position to have been taken by INEC. Why they didn’t take this position points to the coup we have talked about.

    “We shall resist this clear cheating below the belt game and coup against the Yoruba people of Okun in the state.”

    The group also said: “We wish to inform the world that COSEG was formed to protect the interest of the Yoruba wherever they are. We will not, therefore, shy away from this responsibility, irrespective of who is concerned or political colouration; more so that we are non-political.

    “Faleke is an Okun man and a Yoruba man from Kogi. Being a Nigerian, he has the right to be declared governor when circumstances threw it up. He contested under a joint ticket of Audu/Faleke in Kogi State governorship election, where it is believed that both should have same aspirations, plans, among others, while also contributing to the funding of their election.

    “It is, therefore, logical to bestow the deputy governor the full entitlement and right to govern the state with the vision of Audu and Faleke ticket when God naturally took away the life of the great man of Kogi, who brought up Faleke to be his deputy.’’

     

  • Kogi poll: Judge picks Thursday for hearing of suits

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja , has consolidated four suits seeking among others, to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) form proceeding with its planned supplementary governorship election in Kogi State.

    INEC had declared the November 21 governorship election in the state as inconclusive and fixed a supplementary election for December 5.

    On Tuesday, the judge said he will hear the suits filed by the state governor, Idris Wada and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) together with those filed separately by Raphael Igbokwe, Stephen Wada Omye, Jahnson Jacob Usman and Emmanuel Daiko.

    Although the court was told by plaintiffs in all the cases that they were unable to serve the notice to the All Progressives Party (APC), named as defendant in the cases, and whose governorship candidate died, the judge ordered the plaintiffs to address him on three issues of law.

    He adjourned to Thursday for parties to adopt their written addresses.

     

  • Kogi: Court begins hearing in Wada, PDP’s suit Tuesday

    Kogi: Court begins hearing in Wada, PDP’s suit Tuesday

    The Federal High Court, Abuja will Tuesday open hearing in the suit filed last Thursday by Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State and his party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in which they seek to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Wada winner of the inconclusive governorship election held in the state on November 21.

    The nation learnt Monday that the suit now before Justice Gabriel Kolawole has been scheduled for Tuesday for mention. It is however not clear if further steps would be taken in the case because the defendants were yet to file any process as at Monday.

    INEC, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) are listed as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants.

    It is Wada’s contention that in view of the death of the candidate of the APC, Abubkar Audu it was incumbent on INEC to declare him winner of the election, which INEC declared inconclusive.

    He hinged his argument on the ground that he was the only surviving candidate with the majority of lawful votes cast in election held on 21st November 2015.

    He also asked the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue him with a Certificate of Return.

    Wada and the PDP also filed another application praying the court to restrain INEC from conducting the December 5th supplementary election.

    The governor is seeking an order of injunction restraining APC from organizing or holding a fresh primary election for the purpose of any ‎supplementary or other election for the Kogi State governorship election 2015.

    He also asked the court‎ to declare that APC cannot organize and hold a fresh primary election for the purpose of the supplementary election, having regard to the immutable statutory timeliness provided by enabling sections of the Electoral Act 2010 and the INEC timetable for Kogi Governorship election.

    The plaintiffs asked the court to declare that the AGF was not competent to issue directives to INEC to allow APC to substitute its candidate for the Kogi governorship election after the commencement of the election and that such directives are null and void for inconsistency with the provisions of the constitution.

    They urged the court to hold that APC could not lawfully nominate a candidate for the supplementary governorship election slated for the 5th day of December 2015, without a valid and legally cognizable primary election of the APC conducted within the mandatory timeliness specified by the Electroal Act.

    Wada and PDP further asked the court to declare that, “having regards to the provisions of Section 141 of the Electoral Act, 2010, votes scored by a candidate who died during an election cannot be inherited by or transferred to a person who was not a candidate at the said election and who did not participate in all stages of such election, for the purpose of concluding such election.

    The plaintiffs, in a 36-‎paragraph  supporting affidavit deposed to by the PDP State Collation Agent for the election, Joe Agada, it was stated that with the demise of APC’s candidate, the two leading candidates became Wada with 199,514 votes  and and that of the Labour Party with 8, 756 votes.

    “That I know as a fact that INEC  on this basis ought to declare Wada the winner of the governorship election of 21st November 2015, being the only surviving candidate with the highest number of votes and scoring 25 per cent of the votes in all the Local Government Areas of the State.”

  • Wada blasts INEC for doing hatchet job on Kogi poll

    Wada blasts INEC for doing hatchet job on Kogi poll

    Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State yesterday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of carrying out a hatchet job.

    He said he should be declared the winner of the November 21 poll because the death of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Abubakar Audu , has made him candidate with the highest votes cast.

    He said Abubakar’s votes had died with him.

    The governor made the claims in a statement  by his Chief Communications Manager, Mr. Phrank Shaibu.

    He  said: “Having had more time to study the INEC’s decision; I was left with no choice but to conclude that the commission embarked on a hatchet’s job”.

    He said: “My conclusion was reinforced by the fact that ‘whatever votes Audu scored in the election died with him. INEC simply overreached itself, and I wonder why a body established to be the custodian of the rule of law would ignore the fundamentals of the rule of law in arriving at the decision not to issue him a certificate of return.”

    Wada faulted INEC’s argument that APC’s right to substitution was sustained by the Electoral Act.

    He said the electoral body should know that it is for the court, not the Commission, to determine which course of action is effective or not.

    ”In arriving at a decision, INEC merely carried out the directives of the Attorney-General of the Federation. The AGF was not competent to issue directives to INEC to allow APC to substitute its candidate for the Kogi governorship poll and that such directives were null and void for its inconsistency with the provisions of the constitution.

    ’’To us as a party, the most egregious of the faux pas committed by INEC is  asking the APC to  lawfully nominate a candidate for the supplementary governorship election without a valid and legally cognisable primary election of the party conducted within the mandatory timeliness specified by the Electoral Act.

    ”It is our considered opinion that, INEC, more than any other body, ought to know that having regards to the provisions of Section 141 of the Electoral Act, 2010, votes scored by a candidate who died during an election cannot be inherited by or transferred to a person who was not a candidate at the said election and who did not participate in all stages of such election, for the purpose of concluding such election, “ Shaibu said.

    He said it was on the strength of the position of the Electoral Act on the developments in Kogi State that he has asked the court to compel the INEC to issue him with a certificate of return.

    The statement said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was “hopeful that the court will issue an order of injunction restraining APC from organising or holding a fresh primary election for the purpose of any supplementary election having regard to the immutable statutory timelines provided by enabling sections of the Electoral Act 2010 and the INEC timetable for Kogi governorship election.”

  • Wada drags INEC, AGF, APC to court

    Wada drags INEC, AGF, APC to court

    Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State and his party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Wada winner of the inconclusive governorship election held in the state last Saturday.

    They made the request in a suit they filed before the court on Thursday, which has INEC, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants.

    It is Wada’s contention that in view of the death of the candidate of the APC, Abubkar Audu, it was incumbent on INEC to declare him winner of the election, which INEC declared inconclusive.

    He hinged his argument on the ground that he was the only surviving candidate with the majority of lawful votes cast in the election held on 21st November 2015.

    He also asked the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue him with a Certificate of Return.

    Wada and the PDP also filed another application praying the court to restrain INEC from conducting the December 5th supplementary election.

    The governor is seeking an order of injunction restraining APC from organising or holding a fresh primary election for the purpose of any ‎supplementary or other election for the Kogi State governorship election 2015.

    He also asked the court‎ to declare that APC cannot organise or hold a fresh primary election for the purpose of the supplementary election, having regard to the immutable statutory timeliness provided by enabling sections of the Electoral Act 2010 and the INEC timetable for Kogi Governorship election.

    The plaintiffs asked the court to declare that the AGF was not competent to issue directives to INEC to allow APC to substitute its candidate for the Kogi governorship election after the commencement of the election, and that such directive is null and void for its inconsistency with the provisions of the constitution.

    They urged the court to hold that APC could not lawfully nominate a candidate for the supplementary governorship election slated for December 5, 2015, without a valid and legally cognizable primary election of the APC conducted within the mandatory timeliness specified by the Electoral Act.

    Wada and PDP further asked the court to declare that, “having regards to the provisions of Section 141 of the Electoral Act, 2010, votes scored by a candidate who died during an election cannot be inherited by or transferred to a person who was not a candidate at the said election and who did not participate in all stages of such election, for the purpose of concluding such election.

    The plaintiffs, in a 36-‎paragraph supporting affidavit deposed to by the PDP State Collation Agent for the election, Joe Agada, it was stated that with the demise of APC’s candidate, the two leading candidates became Wada with 199,514 votes and that of the Labour Party with 8, 756 votes.

    “That I know as a fact that INEC on this basis ought to declare ‎Wada the winner of the governorship election of 21st November 2015, being the only surviving candidate with the highest number of votes and scoring 25 per cent of the votes in all the Local Government Areas of the State.”

    The case has not been assigned to any judge for hearing.

    The suit by Wada and his party is coming shortly after the late Audu’s running mate, ‎James Faleke, wrote to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, seeking to be declared the winner of the election.

    In a letter written by his lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Faleke said that the only option opened to INEC is to declare him the governor-elect.

    Olanipekun wrote, “What INEC should do is to obey, respect and comply with the letters, spirit, intendment and tenor of the constitution by not only declaring APC as the winner of the election, but by also declaring our client as the governor-elect.”

    He said that INEC’s directive to APC to conduct a new primary to select a candidate to replace Audu was “unfounded, both legally and constitutionally. It can also not be reasonably or rationally defended.”

    He drew the attention of the INEC chairman to the provision of section 68(1) and (c) of the Electoral Act to the effect that any result declared by Returning Officer shall be final and binding, and can only be reviewed or upturned by an election tribunal.

  • Wada should take the prize, says PDP

    Wada should take the prize, says PDP

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare its candidate, Governor Idris Wada as the winner of the November 21 governorship election in Kogi state.

    The party is also seeking the exclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the supplementary election slated for December 5. The INEC had declared the election inconclusive following the cancellation of the poll in 91 units across 18 local governments in the state.

    The party’s position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its national caucus meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday night.

    The communiqué, signed by the National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh, said with the APC candidate Abubakar Audu’s death during the election process, the APC has legally “crashed out” of the race.

    Audu and his running mate James Faleke won in 16 out of the 21 local government areas, leading the PDP candidate with over 40,000 votes.

    INEC declared the election inconclusive, citing irregularities and violence that led to cancellation in 91 polling units across 18 local government areas.

    The electoral body offered to conduct a supplementary election in units where the election was cancelled. It had also given the APC a window to field a substitute candidate for the supplementary poll.

    But the PDP said there is no known law or constitutional provision that allows for the substitution of candidates, once the ballot process has commenced. The party has threatened to challenge INEC’s decision in court.

    “The PDP completely rejects the decision of INEC in yielding to the unlawful prompting of a clearly partisan Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mallam Abubakar Malami, to allow APC to substitute a candidate in the middle of an election, even when such has no place in the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

    With the unfortunate death of Prince Abubakar Audu, the APC has no valid candidate in the election, leaving INEC with no other lawful option than to declare the PDP candidate, Capt. Idris Wada as the winner of the election”, the communique said.

    The party noted that the combine reading of the provisions of the constitution and the Electoral Act did not in any way whatsoever support the substitution of candidates for election in the middle of the ballot process.

    The PDP insisted that if APC is allowed to substitute its original candidate, then the party would have fielded two separate candidates in the same election, a scenario which it said was completely alien to electoral laws and to any known democratic norms and practice the world over.

    Caucus observes that the APC, fully aware that it has no case before the law is now orchestrating confusion in the polity with a view to diverting attention from its glaring incompetence and failure of governance.

    The added: “We observed that the leadership of INEC as presently constituted under the chairmanship of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has demonstrated that it is incapable of neutrality and as such cannot be vested with the conduct of the Kogi governorship supplementary election as well as the December 5, 2015 Bayelsa governorship election.

    “As a result, caucus demands the immediate resignation of the chairman and all national commissioners of INEC to pave the way for a new non-partisan commission to conduct the forth-coming elections.

    “Caucus also demands the immediate resignation of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mallam Abubakar Malami for deliberately misleading INEC into arriving at the unconstitutional decision of allowing APC to substitute its candidate in the inconclusive election.

    “We note that in order to save the nation’s democracy from imminent collapse, the PDP as a critical stakeholder will immediately challenge this unlawful and unconstitutional decision by INEC in the court.

    “Caucus also alerts that the AGF, INEC and APC are creating a scenario where a loser in a primary will patiently wait for the winning candidate to finish election and then have him either poisoned or assassinated before the final collation of results.

    “Caucus calls on the international community to prevail on the APC government to stop this ceaseless assault on our democracy”.

  • Wada eulogises Audu at third-day prayer

    Wada eulogises Audu at third-day prayer

    Kogi State Governor Idris Wada has said the government and the residents have not come to terms with the death of former governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in last Saturday’s election, Prince Abubakar Audu.

    The APC flag bearer died at 5pm, after casting his vote in his town, Ogbonicha, in Ofu Local Government Area.

    His demise shocked the nation, creating a controversy about the fate of his party’s near-victory in the election.

    Wada spoke yesterday at the third-day fidau for Audu at the compound of the Orego Attah and paramount ruler of Ogbonicha Kingdom, Alhaji Tijani Audu.

    The governor said the death of the APC candidate remained a shock to his administration and the people of the state.

    He described Audu’s death as too unbelievable to comprehend.

    Wada, who was represented by a high-powered delegation, led by Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi, said the good works the former governor did cut across all sectors of the state economy.

    The governor said the late Audu would be remembered for his numerous achievements.

    Other government officials in the delegation included the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Nasiru Yunusa and Head of Service (HOS), Dr Moses Atakpa.

    Wada commiserated with the former governor’s family, urging them to be consoled by his legacies of service to the state, his people-centred style of politics and his personality, which is respected across the country.

    The governor prayed Allah to grant him eternal rest, adding that the state and the people would each day immortalise him in their hearts “as one who came, saw and touched lives in more positive ways”.

    The fidau prayer was led by Chief Imam Suleiman Adama, with 117 other Islamic clerics and Muslim faithful.

    Imam Adama prayed Allah to grant the soul of the former governor Al-Jannat Fir’daous and guide and protect his family.

    A son of the deceased, Mohammed, said the death of their father was shocking.

    He expressed appreciation to the government and Nigerians for their support in their moment of grief.

    Dignitaries at the prayer were: former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, Benjamin Ikani and Kogi State frontline politician, Alhaji Jibrin Isah (Echocho).

     

  • Kogi: APC to replace Audu as Wada plans court action

    Kogi: APC to replace Audu as Wada plans court action

    Supplementary  poll holds December 5

    WHO SAID WHAT

    The issue is very straightforward.  Section 33 of the Electoral Act is very clear in case of death. The right for substitution by a political party is sustained by Section 33             —AG

    We are going to proceed with the process of organising primary to provide a substitute candidate for Prince Abubakar Audu. That is the situation at this point in time                —APC

    We are at a loss as to which sections of these … laws, INEC and the AGF relied on in arriving at their bizarre decision to substitute a dead candidate                      —PDP

    The only logical and solution closest to the law on ground now is to allow his running mate to step into his shoes for the supplementary election

                                  —Sagay

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold a primary election to replace the late Prince Abubakar Audu, its governorship candidate who died before the election was declared inconclusive – a decision rejected by many legal experts.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Prof. Emmanuel Kucha, declared Saturday’s election inconclusive on account of irregularities in 91 polling units. But the APC had an almost unassailable lead. In fact, the popular thinking is that since APC was leading by 41,000 votes and the number of registered voters in the 91 polling units is 49,000 but only 25,000 have Voter Cards, there is no need for a supplementary election.

    The remains of Prince Audu, 68, were buried on Monday in his hometown, Ogonicha, Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

    His death sparked a debate on how the matter will be handled since the Constitution and the Electoral Act did not envisage such a scenario.

    But Attorney General of the Federation Abaubakar Malami (SAN) said it was in order for INEC to conclude the process by having the supplementary election and full results declared. He also said the APC should be free to replace Audu.

    The electoral agency also yesterday announced December 5 as the date for the supplementary election, the same day governorship election will hold in Bayelsa State.

    Eminent lawyers, including Prof. Itse Sagay, support the decision of INEC to conclude the process.

    In a statement by its Secretary Mrs Augusta Ogakwu, after a two-day meeting, INEC said: “The commission has, after due consideration of the circumstances, decided to conclude the process by conducting election in the 91 affected polling units as announced by the returning officer.

    “It also decided to allow the APC to fill the vacancy created by the death of its candidate.

    “Accordingly, notice is hereby given to all the 22 political parties participating in the Kogi governorship election that supplementary election in the 91 affected polling units shall hold on Dec. 5.’’

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, whose candidate Governor Idris Wada was trailing the APC’s Audu, rejected the INEC decision. The APC announced its plan to hold a primary to replace the late Audu.

    APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun told a news conference that the leadership of the party will hold an emergency session “within the next few hours” to determine the modalities for the primary.

    Odigie-Oyegun said INEC had written to the party to fill the vacancy created by Audu’s death, pointing out that the party will do everything possible to ensure that the preference of the people of Kogi State replaces the late Audu as the party’s candidate.

    He said, however, that INEC was yet to notify the party of the details of the inconclusive nature of the election in writing, specifying the polling units involved and other details.

    He said: “We lost our candidate for the election in Kogi State  and since then, we have concentrated as a party on paying him the right respect that is due to a man of his calibre.

    “Let me take this opportunity to express the very sincere condolences of the entire party nationwide to the family of Prince Abubakar Audu and to the people of Kogi State who have just gone through the rigours of an election, indicated their preference for Prince Abubakar Audu, only to lose him at the very moment of victory. We were represented at the funeral by almost the entire executive and that is now behind us. Now, matters of state must come back to the fore.

    “INEC has made a pronouncement as to the election being inconclusive, but as at this moment, we are yet to get anything in writing from INEC specifying the details of the polling units that are involved and a clear definition of whether we are talking about, in their consideration, about registered voters or those with permanent voter cards. But those are matters of details and when we get them from INEC, we will proceed from that point.

    “Also, the chief law officer of the federation has made his views known on how things should develop from this stage and he has made a pronouncement to the effect that all that is required is for the APC to go through the process of providing a substitute to our late mourned candidate.

    “The implication being that thereafter, the supplement election to conclude the process of electing a new governor for Kogi State will then be put in place.

    “So, as a party, we are going to proceed with the process of organising primary to provide a substitute candidate for Prince Abubakar Audu. That is the situation at this point in time.

    “We are in a deep state of mourning for the most dedicated politician, consistent politician who has proven to be in firm control of the politics of Kogi State on behalf of the APC.

    “I want to underscore the fact that INEC is also apparently in agreement with the views of the Attorney General because we have already received a letter from them formally asking us to find a replacement for the vacancy that has been created by the passing on of Prince Abubakar Audu and that is what will now engage the APC from this moment on.”

    On when the primary will hold, Odigie-Oyegun said: “We just got notification from INEC today. So, we will go into an emergency session now to work out the modalities and nature of the primary within the next few hours. We are told that the supplementary election will be on December 5th.

    “When that will be or who will be is a matter of detail. But it is going to be the preference of the electors and we will respect that. We are a democratic, law abiding party and we are going to proceed accordingly.”

    Asked about the faith of Audu’s running mate Abiodun Faleke, he said: “I said it will be the preference of the electors that will determine who the candidate that will replace Prince Abubakar Audu will be.”

    Odigie-Oyegun, however, refused to say whether the party intended to sell forms to  aspirants, or make do with those who contested against Audu during the last primary. “All that is a matter of details. We just got the letter today. We are now going into the boiler room to work out the details of what should happen,” he said, adding:

    “We don’t have the luxury of time at our disposal and we also have the election in Bayelsa in our hands. So, we are going to do everything as straight forward and simple, but clearly above board in maintaining due process as much as possible. I cannot give you that answer now because we just got indication of the clear direction from INEC within the last few hours”.

    The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) is set for a long-drawn court battle.

    The opposition party prefers a fresh poll.

    A source close to Governor Idris Wada said the PDP candidate will go to court because INEC cannot take a decision on a constitutional issue outside the court.

    The PDP and Governor Wada last night concluded plans to head for court.

    An aide of the governorsaid: “In the days ahead, there will be a lot of legal fireworks because the issue at hand is purely a constitutional matter. What INEC ought to have done was to approach the court for the interpretation of the situation at hand. Instead, INEC has decided to usurp the powers of the court.

    “By the decision of INEC, the electoral body is saying that the votes cast for the late  Prince Abubakar Audu were still valid in death. That is a strange phenomenon when even if a party in a court dies, the case becomes dead.

    “We will not accept INEC’s position at all, we will instead go to court for a declaration on this constitutional crisis.

    The source added: “We will be asking for the interpretation of three issues: These are:

    • the validity of the votes cast for the late Abubakar Audu;
    • whether or not the timeline for primaries and substitution of candidates have not elapsed;
    • whether or not a fresh governorship election is the proper thing in this peculiar circumstance.

     

  • Wada sacks 15 council chairmen for defecting to APC

    Wada sacks 15 council chairmen for defecting to APC

    Governor Idris Wada of Kogi on Tuesday removed 15 chairmen of local governments from office for defecting to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC).

    This is contained in a statement issued in Lokoja and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr James Adedoyin in Lokoja.

    The statement cited section 20 sub section (1) and section 36 sub section 1 (d) of Kogi State Local Government Law 2000 as amended to back the action.

    It explained that the sacked chairmen can no longer remain in office having decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that sponsored them.

    Some of the affected council chairmen include that of Lokoja, Ogori-Magongo, Idah, Adavi, Ankpa, Okehi, Bassa, Yagba East, Yagba West and Okene among others.

    They defected to the APC during the grand finale of its governorship campaign held in Lokoja on Nov. 18.

    The statement warned the sacked council chairmen to stay away from offices, directing the vice chairmen or the council leaders to take over the affairs of the affected councils as may be appropriate.

    The governor said the handing and taking over should be completed by Wednesday Nov. 25, the statement said.

    One of the grounds for their defection was the refusal of Wada to implement a decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Oct 29 that nullified the removal of the elected chairmen from office.

    They were removed from office based on the order of a Kogi State High Court sitting in Koton Karfe which ruled that the election of May 4, 2013 which brought them into office was faulty.

    Relying on the judgment, Kogi State Government asked the chairmen and councillors to vacate office but the affected officials approached the Appeal Court which set aside the ruling and declared that they resume immediately.

    Kogi state government refused to give effect to the ruling until Nov. 23.

  • Wada declares seven-day mourning

    Wada declares seven-day mourning

    Kogi State Governor Idris Wada yesterday confirmed the death of the state’s first civilian governor, Prince Abubakar Audu.

    Wada, who made the confirmation in a statewide broadcast to the people, said Audu died on Sunday at his Ogbonicha village in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi.

    The governor condoled with the family and people of the state on the demise, describing the late Audu as a man of the people, who laid a solid foundation for the state’s growth.

    He declared yesterday as public holiday to enable the people , especially civil servants to attend the funerall and pay their last respect.

    Wada declared a seven-day mourning period during which the national flag would fly at half mast and office activities shut-down.