KOGI ELECTION: Violent protests over APC choice of Audu's replacement

The All Progressives Congress’ decision to pick Yahaya Bello as a replacement for its governorship candidate in Kogi State, the late Abubakar Audu, has led to violent protests in the state.

A newspaper had on Saturday reported that the APC had picked Bello as a substitute for Audu, who died on Sunday shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the November 21 governorship election in the state inconclusive.

The report sparked protests in Ajaokuta area of the state by youths of Igalaland where Audu hailed from.


The youths were said to have expected that either Audu’s son, Mohammed, or another person from Igalaland would replace Audu.

They marched along major roads in Ajaokuta area, sang war songs and carried placards of different inscriptions denouncing Audu’s replacement with Bello.

The enraged youths made bonfire and later blocked the Itope-Ajaokuta Bridge, which is along Ayangba-Ajaokuta highway, causing gridlock.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, “Do not betray Audu because he is dead”, “Audu invested much for APC unity and progress”, “It is injustice to replace Audu with a non-Igalaman.”

Many motorists and commuters were said to have been stranded for hours while the blockade lasted.

The intervention of security operatives, who made the protesting youths to stop their siege on the bridge, later restored normalcy to the area.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. William Aya, confirmed the protests in a telephone interview with our correspondent.

He stated that the Police quickly moved to the area to restored law and order.

He said, “The Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer with other policemen moved to the area and made the youths to disperse.

“Normalcy has been restored while normal movement and business activities have resumed.

INEC had on Tuesday written the APC, asking it to submit a substitute for the late candidate. The party had said that it would hold a fresh primary to choose another candidate.

But Bello, who was the first runner-up at the APC primary, was reportedly picked by the party leaders on Friday.

Also, Audu’s running mate, Mr. James Faleke, rejected the party’s decision to pick Bello.

Faleke, in an interview with newsmen on Saturday, faulted the decision of the APC to pick Bello as a replacement for Audu.

He also claimed that Mohammed Audu is one of his main backers in his quest to assume the office of governor of the state.

There have been calls by some political groups for Mohammed Audu to replace his father as the APC’s candidate for the December 5 supplementary election fixed by INEC.

On Thursday, Faleke, who is against the supplementary poll, had in separate letters to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, demanded to be declared as the governor-elect for the state.

The letters were written on his behalf by his lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

Asked specifically whether or not he would support Mohammed to replace his father, Faleke expressed surprise that such an idea was muted in the first place.

He stated that Audu’s son could not replace his father because he (Faleke) and Mohammed were already working together on the demand that INEC should declare Faleke the governor-elect.

He also criticised his party’s decision for agreeing to be part of the upcoming supplementary election by choosing Bello “when the APC has already won clearly.”

Faleke spoke further, “Audu’s son is with me, so what are they talking about? You have also seen what the party did. What the party did and the clamour for my late boss’ son to succeed him are not in line with the law; so none of that will stand.

“And regarding my late boss’ son, we are working together. He is with me on this issue. I have given my final stance on this issue and there is no going back. INEC should declare me as the winner of the governorship election. That is where we stand.”

We will abide by party’s decision — Kogi APC spokesman

The Kogi State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Abdulmalik Suliaman, on Saturday said the choice of Bello was an act of God.

Responding on how the APC leadership should compensate the Audu camp by either appointing Audu’s son or any other associate, Sulaiman said the party’s leadership would always do the right thing.

He, however, said the camp was more preoccupied with the seven day prayer for Audu on Sunday (today) and would later meet to take a formal position on the party’s decision.

He said, “Choosing Bello to us is an act of God. We must abide by the party’s decision. God gives power to whoever He wishes to give. It is a party affair and the party will always do the right thing. The party has taken a decision or done its own and we must abide by it.

“The leaders have a way of solving problems. I believe everything will be okay. The leaders will always do. The Audu camp will meet on that. Presently we still have the seven days prayers coming up tomorrow (Sunday), it is very important to us. We need to offer more prayers for our departed icon. After the prayer we will meet.”

Also speaking on the issue, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Timi Frank, said, “We have heard rumours but I can tell you that we are still consulting. The party will take a position and make that position public on Monday. We appeal for patience.”