Politics Audu's Death: Fayose Speaks on Kogi Elections; Condemns Buhari, INEC & APC

Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, doesn't agree with the decision made by INEC concerning the recent Kogi gubernatorial elections.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Fayose said that President Muhammadu Buhari was setting Nigeria on the path of anarchy by using his personal lawyer and member of All Progressives Congress (APC) who is the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to induce the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) decision on the inconclusive Kogi State Governorship election.

He accused President Buhari of “fraudulently using the AGF to carry out an act which amounted to amending the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2010 to advance his ambition and that of his party to turn Nigeria to a one party state.”

“INEC should either conclude the election with APC not having a candidate or hold a fresh election with APC nominating a new governorship candidate. Anything outside these two options will mean that the Supreme Court must intervene," he said according to Vanguard.

According to him, “Section 33 of the Electoral Act only provided for substitution of a dead candidate before election, not during election. Also, the running mate would have become the governor-elect if the governorship candidate had been duly elected before he died. But in this case, the election was still in progress, meaning that Audu was a candidate like others when he died.

“Therefore, what INEC has done will mean that votes have now become an inheritance that the late APC governorship candidate, Abubakar Audu has willed to whoever that emerges as his substitute.

“It is like saying that Audu’s votes in the inconclusive election will now be inherited by another person. How logical is that?

“In a democracy, how can the Attorney General of the Federation and INEC turn themselves to the National Assembly that amends laws and the judiciary that interprets laws?

“The implication of all these is that it has become obvious that no one can get justice under this APC government and if this is the change they promised Nigerians, it appears that Nigeria is in serious trouble.”

What do you expect from a loosing party?

Sitaiwo said:

What do you expect from a loosing party?

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The question is was the decision the right one by the AGF? What do other Nigerian lawyers say. Forget the political badge and remember this decision will affect people in 10 years time in subsequent elections in Nigeria. Would you feel the same way if the tables were turned? Nobody wins if we get these decisions wrong.

stato said:

The question is was the decision the right one by the AGF? What do other Nigerian lawyers say. Forget the political badge and remember this decision will affect people in 10 years time in subsequent elections in Nigeria. Would you feel the same way if the tables were turned? Nobody wins if we get these decisions wrong.

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Can there ever be a right decision? At the end of the day it all depends on one's perspective.

@Lequte - there can be a right decision and it should not be left to one's perspective. In the Nation today several SANs have stated that in their humble opinion, it was not the right decision. Some of those that have spoken are not anti the government. It would be interesting to hear from more lawyers like Falana on this.

@stato popular opinion isn't always correct. Those SANs spoke out of their own discretion and the level of knowledge they have on the matter.

Lequte said:

@stato popular opinion isn't always correct. Those SANs spoke out of their own discretion and the level of knowledge they have on the matter.

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But it is not just opinion. I am assuming they know the law and have some understanding of the constitution and our electoral laws. They are the ones making money from the tribunals!

stato said:

But it is not just opinion. I am assuming they know the law and have some understanding of the constitution and our electoral laws. They are the ones making money from the tribunals!

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I hear ye. But aren't those that made the decision aware of the law as well? I think they might've been exposed to more informationa nd that's why they took the decision.

I feel Lequte. Omehia's votes was transferred to Amechi in Rivers state. The Supreme Court has held that votes are not for the candidates but the parties. Nigerians just like to gripe and hype.

@Alabi - if that is true, then case closed.