Political parties go to tribunal over Kogi gov polls

By Kingsley Fanwo

LOKOJA—Parties to the November 21 and December 5, 2015 governorship poll in Kogi State yesterday began the legal challenge that in the view of analysts will redefine electoral administration in the country.

FALEKE and BELLO

Kogi governorship election became a peculiar case when the leading candidate in the election, Prince Abubakar Audu, died before voting was concluded.

The choice of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as replacement for the late Prince Abubakar Audu was vehemently resisted by the running mate to the late politician, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke.

Hon. Faleke has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission to the Election Petitions Tribunal to challenge the declaration of INEC that the November 21 governorship poll was inconclusive.

The parties in court yesterday were the African Democratic Party, Labour Party, People’s Democratic Party, Progressives People Alliance and the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

The tribunal chairman, Halima S. Mohammed granted the prayers of all the parties for substituted service on the All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Alh. Yahaya Bello.

But the tribunal declined to grant the prayer of the Labour Party seeking an interlocutory injunction against the inauguration of Alh. Yahaya Bello on the ground that the affected parties were not present in court.

However, the People’s Democratic Party’s prayer to inspect election materials which was moved by its legal team led by Chris Uche, SAN, was granted by the tribunal. The inspection has been slated for January 21, 2016.

The tribunal adjourned till January 21, 2016 when it expects all parties to have been served with the court processes.