INEC: We’ve not been informed of Audu’s death

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is yet to be officially informed of the death of Abubakar Audu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 21 governorship election of Kogi state.

Speaking with TheCable, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, the commission’s publicity director, said INEC would issue a statement on the matter within 24 hours of “receiving a formal notification” of the passing of the candidate.

“The commission has not been formally informed about it (Audu’s death),” he said.

“The position of the commission will be made known within 24 hours of a formal notification.”

Audu passed away on Sunday while results of the election, in which he contested against Idris Wada, incumbent governor of Kogi state and 20 other candidates, were being collated at the INEC headquarters in Lokoja.

INEC declared the election inconclusive on the grounds that the number of cancelled votes which is 49, 953, exceeded the margin between the votes secured by Audu- the leading contender- against that of Wada.

Audu secured 240, 861 votes ahead of Wada who polled 199, 514 votes.

The margin between the two results was 41, 353 while the total number of cancelled votes was 49, 953, hence the declaration of the election as inconclusive.

The late Audu was buried on Monday at his hometown of Ogbonicha in Ofu local government area of the state.