APC ‘picks’ Bello, considers Audu’s son a risk

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has picked Yahaya Bello as its candidate for the December 5 supplementary election in Kogi state, according to The Nation.

Bello will replace Abubakar Audu, who died shortly after the November 21 poll was declared inconclusive.

Quoting sources, the newspaper said the party considered the choice of Mohammed, son of the deceased, as “risky” because Idris Wada, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might challenge the decision in court.

“We love the Audus but we cannot take such a big risk. If Wada and PDP go to court, they will win against Mohammed Audu,” the source reportedly said.

“Our leaders were guided by section 141 of the electoral act. If we choose him, the entire election will be voided.

“The section says: ‘An election tribunal or court shall not under any circumstance declare any person a winner at an election in which such a person has not fully participated in all the stages of such election.”

The younger Audu has a strong support base. After his nomination by the APC in Kogi east, 11 lawmakers in the state house of assembly also pitched their tent with him, threatening to impeach any governor that emerges other than him.

According to The Nation, with the support of some people in the presidency, APC leaders decided to opt for Bello because he came second in the party’s primary.

“Our leaders met and after consultations reached a conclusion on the choice of Yahaya Bello from Kogi central as the party’s governorship candidate to substitute the late Prince Abubakar Audu,” the newspaper quoted its source as saying.

“The leaders arrived at the conclusion because Bello was second to Audu at the validly conducted governorship primaries of the party. Instead of running into crisis with fresh primaries, the party opted to dust up the result of the previous one which was witnessed by INEC.

“A letter, signed by the national chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on the choice of Bello has been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday.

“They also argued that the choice of Bello will ensure power shift in the state and since the Ebiras were behind Audu, it won’t be difficult to foster understanding between Kogi east and Kogi central senatorial districts.

“Do not forget that Kogi rast had already produced the minister from the state.

“Another important factor is that some of the 91 polling units where elections were cancelled are in Kogi central, and it will be easier to mobilise the electorate in the district to get the required votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Governor Idris Wada.”

The newspaper also reported that James Faleke, the late Audu’s running mate, was retained as the deputy governorship candidate.

According to the report, Faleke, who has already asked INEC to declare him as winner of the election, was not considered for the party’s because “some presidency forces” opposed him.

“There was also some conspiracy behind the refusal of the ticket for Faleke. Some presidency forces stamped their feet that he must not be allowed to step into Audu’s shoes because of internal power struggles in APC,” the report said.

“I won’t give you names but the forces were more powerful than Oyegun and other NWC members.

“Our leaders bought into the idea that Faleke is strange to the politics of the state, having had most of his political career in Lagos. They felt it is better for him to learn the ropes in the state before becoming a governor.”

The Nation said there was pressure on Faleke to reject the idea of him being Bello’s deputy but that he was yet to make up his mind.

“There are many options open to Faleke but the people of Kogi West want him to withdraw from the race. If Yahaya Bello gets the ticket, he might be reduced to a dummy deputy governor,” another source told the newspaper.

“Unless Faleke can fight his cause in court and claim his mandate, he will be frustrated as a deputy governor. If he quits, the party will have justification for bringing Mohammed Audu and Kogi West will be politically alienated.”

The APC had initially said Audu’s replacement would emerge through a fresh primary election.