Late last week, the APC leadership chose 40-year old Alhaji Yahaya Bello as its Kogi State gubernatorial candidate to replace Prince Audu who died last weekend before the results were announced. In an unprecedented political development, Prince Audu, who was the APC's flagbearer died 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 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 had created confusion about what would happen and to resolve the matter, the APC leadership has selected Alhaji Bello who came second in its primaries as the replacement candidate.
However, this decision has split the party, with Hon Abiodun Faleke, Prince Audu's running mate, refusing to accept the decision, saying he is the legitimate candidate. He has written two letters a to the party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, insisting that he is not prepared to give up his mandate for any reason whatsoever.
Hon Faleke said he is the rightful person to step into Prince Audu’s shoes and pleaded the application of the doctrine of necessity used in the crisis that trailed the demise of President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2010. Supporters of Prince Audu's son Mohammed, have also taken to the streets at Itobe in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state protesting against Alhaji Bello’s choice.
According to the protesters who were mainly Igala-speaking, it would be unfair to have an Ebira as governor of the state when the chief judge and the speaker of the state house assembly are also Ebira. Hon Faleke for his part is adamant that he is not ready or prepared to trade off or compromise his mandate as the governor-elect of Kogi State.
Dr Tom Ohikere, the head of media of the Prince Abubakar Audu/Faleke Campaign Organisation, also warned Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to avoid any act capable of setting Kogi State on fire. He said, the presidency and APC leadership cannot pretend to be unaware of the provisions of the law, where a running mate to a deceased candidate in an ongoing election steps in as the party’s flag bearer.
“Let me open up to you now. Our political mentor and father, the late Prince Audu on his dying bed, gave instruction to us, that should he not make it, the baton must be passed to his running mate, Faleke, who he said is capable of carrying on with his vision," Dr Ohikere added.
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