INEC asks APC to replace Audu, picks Dec 5 for Kogi supplementary election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “fill the vacancy” created by the death of Abubakar Audu, its candidate in the Kogi state governorship election.

The electoral body also announced that it has fixed December 5 for the supplementary election in the state.

INEC had declared Saturday’s election inconclusive, saying it took the decision in compliance with the provision of the electoral act which states that the margin between the two leading candidates in an election must not be less than the number of cancelled votes.

While 49,953 votes were voided in the election, the margin between Abubakar Audu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was leading, and Idris Wada, the incumbent governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), was 41,353.

Audu secured 240,867 votes, while Idris polled 199,514 votes.

But things took a new twist when the APC candidate died shortly after INEC announced that the poll was inconclusive.

The situation generated arguments among lawyers and public commentators, with INEC saying it has not taken any decision on the way forward because the APC had not informed it of the death of its candidate.

“The commission has not been formally informed about it (Audu’s death). The position of the commission will be made known within 24 hours of a formal notification,” Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, publicity director of INEC, had told TheCable on Monday.

But in a notice signed and issued by Augusta Ogakwu, INEC secretary, the commission said it had arrived at a decision following the notification from APC about the death of its candidate.

The notice read: “The Independent National Electoral Commission conducted governorship election in Kogi state on 21 November 2015, which was declared inconclusive.”

“On 23 November 2015, the All Progressives Congress (APC) notified the commission of the death of its governorship candidate in the election, Prince Abubakar Audu.

“The commission has, after due consideration of the circumstances decided as follows:

“To conclude the process by conducting election in the 91 affected polling units as announced by the returning officer.

“To allow the APC to fill the vacancy created by the death of its candidate.

“To conduct the supplementary election on 5 December 2015.

“Accordingly, notice is hereby given to all the 22 political parties participating in the Kogi governorship election that the supplementary election in 91 affected polling units shall hold on 5 December 2015.”