Kogi APC Crisis Deepens As SGF Backs Yahaya Bello As Audu’s Replacement

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News From The State Friday, November 27th, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Trouble is currently brewing in Kogi State over who picks the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket for the December 5, 2015 supplementary election.

The APC governorship candidate in the November 21, 2015 election in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, had last Sunday passed away after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the election inconclusive.

A new date of December 5, 2015 has been scheduled by INEC for the rerun of over 49,000 cancelled votes, while the APC has opted for fresh primaries to elect a new governorship candidate.

Our correspondent gathered that APC’s chances in the supplementary election might be scuttled over attempts to impose a defected candidate as the party’s governorship candidate.

Fingers are being pointed at the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Babachar Lawal, over his attempts to impose Yahaya Bello as the governorship candidate of the party.

Bello was runner up to the late Audu during the primaries held by the party.

He however defected to the Peoples Democratic Party and campaigned for the PDP governorship candidate and Governor of Kogi during the days leading to the election.

Bello also sued the APC over its conduct of the primaries.

Some youths have protested to the Kogi State chapter of the APC over plans to make the defected Yahaya Bello as the party’s governorship candidate.

One of the youths, Yusuf Suleiman said: “We are saying no to imposition. The people of Kogi should be allowed to choose their candidate.

“Yahaya Bello defected to PDP after losing the primaries to Prince Abubakar Audu and campaigned for the PDP and its candidate. Where is the loyalty and commitment expected of APC members?”