With the formal declaration and presentation of Alhaji Yahaya Bello by the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC), as replacement for late Prince Abubakar Audu in the December 5 supplementary governorship election in Kogi state, the battle line has been drawn between the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who is the incumbent governor, Captain Idris Wada and Bello.
The first leg of the election, held on November 21, was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), at the collation centre in Lokoja, the state capital, on November 22, shortly before Prince Audu, who was APC candidate died.
INEC, wil therefore, conduct supplementary election in 91 polling units in which election results of November 21 were either cancelled or where election did not hold at all. In all, 49,953 votes are in contention for particularly the APC and PDP on Saturday.
It would be recalled that APC was leading in the election results declared by INEC on November 22 with 240,867 votes while PDP trailed behind with 199,514 votes. APC beat PDP with 41,353 votes difference.
Here are the 91 polling units with a total of 49,953 which Yahaya Bello of APC and Idris Wada of PDP are set to share on Saturday:
1. Dekina local government with 29 polling units (17,454 votes)
2. Ankpa local government with nine polling units (6,021 votes)
3. Bassa local government with two polling units (742 votes)
4. Ibaji local government with six polling units (2,665 votes)
5. Idah local government with one polling unit (310 votes)
6. Igalamela-Odolu local government with three polling units (1,501 votes)
7. Ijumu local government with one polling unit (705 votes)
8. Kabba-Bunu local government with four polling units (1,767 votes)
9. Kogi local government with two polling units (1,689 votes)
10. Lokoja local government with five polling units (2,854)
11. Ofu local government with eight polling units (4,679 votes)
12. Okehi local government with one polling unit (403 votes)
13. Okene local government with one polling unit (676 votes)
14. Olamaboro local government with four polling units (2,046 votes)
15. Omala local government with six polling units (2,526 votes)
16. Yagba West local government with one polling unit (375 votes).
17. Ajaokuta with three polling units (1,406 votes)
18. Adavi local government with five polling units (2,134 votes).
Meanwhile, the people of Okun area in Kogi State under the aegis of Okun Elders Forum, have thrown their weight behind the candidacy of Alhaji Yahya Bello, as the preferred candidate to fill the vacuum created by the death of late Prince Abubakar Audu.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Chief Funsho Atale, the Forum stressed the need to move the state forward and in tandem with democratic principles, adding they took the position in the interest of the party, Kogi State and Okunland.
The elders, including Chief P.S . Alabi; Chief Remi Ogga and Engr. Dele Abu, urged the leadership of the APC to align various interest groups to rally support for the candidature of Bello and ensure victory for the party during the remaining election slated for Saturday, so as to move the state forward.
The elders insisted that this is not the best time for political horse trading as all hands must be on deck to get Kogi State back to the path of growth and development. [myad]
