INEC confirms APC’s Yahaya Bello as Audu’s replacement

dimeji akinloye

November 30, 2015 9:44 PM

INEC had given the APC December 1 deadline to submit a replacement for Audu.

Yahaya Bello

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the first runner-up in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election primaries in the Kogi gubernatorial poll as substitution for late Abubakar Audu.

INEC had given the APC December 1 deadline to submit a replacement for Audu, who died from a heart attack after the state's governorship election was declared inconclusive.

The APC forwarded Bello's name to the Commission a few hours to deadline, after hours of deliberations.

There is, however, been confusion in the state as to who the right candidate for Audu's replacement would be.

READ:Tinubu reportedly rejects Kogi APC candidate, supports Faleke

As Bello becomes APC's flagbearer, he will face major opponent, the incumbent Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party‎ (PDP) in the supplementary election scheduled to hold on Saturday, December 5.

“They have sent the name of their replacement candidate, the second runner-up in their primaries, that is Yahaya Bello, to the commission.

“The commission is committed to conduct the two elections,that is why in respect of kogi, in spite of what happened, we came out with public notice which invites the APC to submit its replacement candidate for the election”, INEC’s Deputy Director, Publicity, Nick Dazang said.

READ: Confusion as Faleke picks Audu’s son as running mate

INEC had ruled last week's governorship election in the state inconclusive following reports to irregularities in 91 polling units.

dimeji akinloye