Late Audu's Replacement: APC To Conduct Fresh Primary

Late Prince Abubakar Audu

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has declared it will conduct fresh primary election in it's bid to replace Prince Abubakar Audu who died at the verge of victory 2 days ago.

The Party Chairman, Mr. John Odigie-Oyegun in a statement issued on the party stance said , said the decision to hold a fresh primary was taken after the APC received a letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) asking it to replace Audu. 

“It’s in the public space already, that the chief law officer of the republic has made his views know on how things should develop from this stage on,” he said.

 “He has made a pronouncement to the effect that all that is required is for the APC to go through the processes of providing a substitute to our late candidate with the implication being that thereafter the supplementary elections to conclude the process of electing a new governor of Kogi state will begin to be put in place so as a party we going to proceed with process organising primary to provide a substitute candidate, Abubakar Audu. “We are going to go into executive session now, to know the nature of the primary.”

Audu’s death had sparked debate among lawyers and public commentators, with some suggesting that Abidoun Faleke, the deceased’s running mate, should be given the ticket of the party. 

“Kogi situation fits more into section 181(1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) and as such James Abiodun Faleke automatically becomes the governorship candidate of the APC. As a result the joint ticket of Audu/Faleke has acquired some votes already. 

James Abiodun Faleke is as much entitled to those votes already counted as much as the late Abubakar Audu. He has a right to cling to those votes going into the supplementary election,” 

Festus Keyamo, a notable Nigerian lawyer, had argued. But with the new development all the controversies have been put to rest. Though Oyegun did not disclose the date for the exercise, it is expected to be this week since INEC has scheduled the supplementary election for December 5. INEC declared Saturday’s election inconclusive because the number of cancelled votes was higher than the margin between the two leading candidates. 

Audu, who was leading the election, secured 240,867 votes, ahead of Idris Wada, incumbent governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 199,514 votes. The difference between them was 41,353 votes, while a total of 49,953 votes were voided in the election as a result of irregularities.

Gov. Wada Sacks 15 LG Chairmen For Defecting To APC

Gov. Idris Wada of Kogi State

The ousting Kogi State governor, Idris Wada has sacked all 15 local government Chairmen in the state who defected to the ruling All progressives Congress, APC, shortly before Saturday's election.

The sack which 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.

APC To Replace Late Audu, Supplementary Election Date FIXED

Following the Independent National Electoral Commission's declaration of Kogi gubernatorial election as inconclusive, December 5th 2015 has been slated for the supplementary election.

The ruling and the winning party, the All Progressives Congress, APC has been told to replace the late candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu,  as the choice on who becomes the candidate it was gathered would be left in the hands of the party,

The INEC, returning officer for the election, Prof. Emmanuel Kucha of Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, had announced Audu as

Aregbesola commissions N750 million High School named after Wole Soyinka

Prof Wole Soyinka (middle); Governor Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); his wife, Sherifat (left); Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd right), and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem  Salam (right) . . . during the commissioning of Wole Soyinka Government High School, Ejigbo, State of Osun, on Monday.

There was excitement in Osun on Monday as Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka joined Governor Rauf Aregbesola to unveil a N750 million Wole Soyinka Government High School in Ejigbo.

It was the first of its category in the mega schools series under the education reform programme of the Aregbesola government.

The Nobel Laureate described the school as a emphatic rejection of the what Boko Haram insurgents preach; describing the situation in which the

Fuel Scarcity: Angry Nigerians Blast Buhari

Terrified by the seeming no solution fuel scarcity, Nigerians have taken to social media to take a swipe President Muhammadu Buhari over the worsening problem across the country.

Most of them who reacted on Twitter expressed their displeasure at the inaction of Buhari especially in his position as petroleum minister.

Similarly, some senators requested that Buhari appears before the upper chamber to answer for the problems faced by Nigerians.

Senator Abaribe (Abia South) took the floor earlier today and said “change has come but there is no change”.

In the same vein, Senator Shehu Sani said the fuel

ON THE DEATH OF LATE PRINCE ABUBAKAR AUDU, By Tijjani Bambale

On the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, The most important lesson that I have learned is to trust God in every circumstance.

Lots of times we go through different trials and following God's plan seems like it doesn't make any sense at all. God is always in control and He will never leave us. We should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfil the promise of our leader's life also, in our own, to the world. Why do we always begin to think about people when they die? 

I think we should think about people while they're still alive! That way, they can know that we're thinking about them! I always tell people when I'm thinking about them, or that I thought about them, or that I have been thinking about them and it almost always scares them away, but so what, I am practicing the art of life and if that is frightening to them then

APC REJECTS Kogi Governorship Results

The Ruling All Progressives Congress has rejected results of Kogi State governorship election declared as inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Though, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chiefs were yesterday meeting on the Kogi State governorship election, which was declared inconclusive —a decision rejected by legal experts too.

According to The Nation, the All Progressives