Yahaya Bello Named As Replacement For Late Prince Audu

The national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has announced the decision of the party to pick Alhaji Yahaya Bello, from the Kogi Central Senatorial District as replacement for the governorship candidate, late Price Abubakar Audu, who died on November 22. Yahaya Bello came second in the primary conducted by the party as runner-up to the November 21^st election.

James Faleke who was running mate of late Audu will keep his place as deputy to Bello.

This was even as Dr. Tom Ohikere, head of media for the Abubakar Audu/James Faleke Campaign Organisation, described the decision to replace the late Audu with Bello, who came second in the primary as “illegal and moral burden” on Oyegun and other members of the national working committee.

Audu was from the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from the 21 local councils in the state, had won 16 and was clearly ahead of the PDP opponent and incumbent governor, Captain Idris Wada.

According to results declared by the Returning Officer, Professor Emmanuel Kucha (Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi), Audu scored 240,867 while Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party garnered 199,514 votes.

Professor Kucha said the margin of votes between Messrs Audu and Wada is 41,353. He  that the total number of registered voters in 91 polling units, in 18 local government areas, where election was cancelled is 49,953.

He said by INEC guideline, no return could be made for the election until supplementary election is held in areas where election was cancelled. [myad]