Kogi Rerun: INEC Conducts Senatorial Election Without APC

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is conducting outstanding legislative re-run elections in Kogi East Senatorial District, today, 23rd of July, 2016.

The election in Kogi is however like a walk-over for the People's Democratic Party, PDP as the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate who was the strongest contender in the inconclusive election had been barred from further participating in today’s final exercise by the electoral commission.

The Kogi election had been filled with lots of intrigues across party lines. While INEC has stopped the APC from presenting a candidate for the election, the PDP has had to substitute its flagbearer following a court judgement which disqualified the candidate initially fielded by the party.

INEC had officially recognized retired Air Vice Marshal Isaac Alfa, as the authentic PDP candidate in the Kogi East Senatorial re-run election and not Sen. Attai Idoko earlier presented by the party.

The Appeal Court had earlier nullified the election of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mohammed Salami Ohiare and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election in respect of the Kogi Central Senatorial District without the participation of Mohammed Ohiare.

The decision of the Appellant Court was informed by the dissenting judgement delivered by the Tribunal.

The dissenting judgment at the Tribunal held that Mohammed Ohiare was not qualified in the election and that his election was void and null and therefore ordered a fresh election without his participation by virtue of section 140(1) and (2) of the electoral act.

The Appeal Court ordered INEC to therefore conduct a fresh election without Mohammed. Ohiare participation within 90days