The Kogi State governorship election tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has upheld the election of Governor Yahaya Bello as the duly elected governor of Kogi State.
The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Halima Mohammed (Ms.), who read the judgment in the petition filed by a member of the House of Reps, James Faleke, threw out the petition for lacking in merit.
Faleke challenged the emergence of Bello as governor and asked the tribunal to declare him governor since the election of late Prince Abubakar Audu was "almost" concluded before he died.
It would be recalled that Bello was nominated by the APC to replace its late candidate, Prince Audu.
Faleke ran as deputy governorship candidate with Audu and they were coasting to victory before the sudden and controversial death of Prince Audu.
It was obvious to many that Audu/Faleke had won the election based on margin, but INEC declared that the election was inconclusive and asked the APC to nominate a replacement for the deceased.
The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Halima Mohammed (Ms.), who read the judgment in the petition filed by a member of the House of Reps, James Faleke, threw out the petition for lacking in merit.
Faleke challenged the emergence of Bello as governor and asked the tribunal to declare him governor since the election of late Prince Abubakar Audu was "almost" concluded before he died.
It would be recalled that Bello was nominated by the APC to replace its late candidate, Prince Audu.
Faleke ran as deputy governorship candidate with Audu and they were coasting to victory before the sudden and controversial death of Prince Audu.
It was obvious to many that Audu/Faleke had won the election based on margin, but INEC declared that the election was inconclusive and asked the APC to nominate a replacement for the deceased.
Bello was nominated and he nominated Mr. Faleke as his deputy, an offer he (Faleke) rejected.
Justice Mohammed said on Monday that the fact that INEC declared the first election held on November 21, 2015 inconclusive meant no governor-elect or deputy governor-elect had emerged.
She averred that all votes cast belong to political parties, “it is the political party, through the instrumentality of its candidate that runs for election.”
She said Faleke therefore lacked the locus standi to challenge the nomination of Bello to replace the late Prince Audu since he was never a deputy governor-elect.
The judge ruled that: “No right can accrue from an inconclusive election.”Justice Mohammed said on Monday that the fact that INEC declared the first election held on November 21, 2015 inconclusive meant no governor-elect or deputy governor-elect had emerged.
She averred that all votes cast belong to political parties, “it is the political party, through the instrumentality of its candidate that runs for election.”
She said Faleke therefore lacked the locus standi to challenge the nomination of Bello to replace the late Prince Audu since he was never a deputy governor-elect.
Yahaya Bello, his family and supporters received the judgement with celebration in government house.
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