APC remains divided over Kogi governorship candidate as Tinubu backs James Faleke

ALL Progressives Congress (APC) leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is reported to be unhappy with the party's choice of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as its flagbearer in the forthcoming Kogi State gubernatorial elections preferring to stick with Hon James Faleke.

 

Late last week, the APC leadership chose 40-year old Alhaji Yahaya Bello as its Kogi State gubernatorial candidate to replace Prince Abubakar Audu who died before the results of the election were announced.   In an unprecedented political development, Prince Audu, who was the APC's flagbearer died of a stroke before the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) could announce the winner of the election.

 

Although Prince Audu had taken an unassailable lead over his rival, Governor Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Inec had declared the results of the election inconclusive due to a few discrepancies in several local governments. Supplementary elections are due to hold on December 5 but the passing of Prince Audu created confusion about what would happen and to resolve the matter, the APC leadership selected Alhaji Bello who came second in its primaries as the replacement candidate.

 

However, this decision has split the party, with Hon Faleke, Prince Audu's running mate, refusing to accept the decision, saying he is the legitimate candidate. He has rejected the offer of being Alhaji Bello's running mate, saying he won the elections and should be given a certificate of return by Inec.

 

It now appears that Asiwaju Tinubu and a group loyal to him in the party are insisting that Alhaji Bello’s name be withdrawn for Hon James Faleke. However, other party chieftains have kicked against this saying Alhaji Bello’s choice and subsequent nomination be maintained.

 

Inec has given the APC until tomorrow to present a replacement for its late governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, for the Kogi supplementary election. Although Alhaji Bello has been nominated and his name submitted to Inec on Friday evening, some powerful stakeholders within the APC are insisting that his name be replaced with that of Hon James Faleke.

 

APC national chairman Chief John Oyegun is said to be adamant, however, that Alhaji Bello is the party's candidate and if the stalemate continues, the APC might end up not having any candidate for the supplementary election this Saturday. Some party stakeholders are insisting on Hon Faleke’s candidacy because he was everywhere with the late Prince Audu campaigning vigorously and it would be unfair to deny him what he laboured for and favour someone who was even working against the APC candidate and the party’s interest.