There is no winner yet in the keenly contested governorship election in Bauchi state, between incumbent Mohammed Abubakar and the PDP challenger, Bala Mohammed, a former minister.
With all the results from the councils tallied, Governor Abubakar polled 465,453 votes, while Bala Mohammed got 469512, a margin of 4059 votes.
But the returning officer, Professor Mohammed Kyari from Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa declared the election inconclusive.
He explained the reasons for the action.
“First, that the margin of lead between the PDP and APC Candidates is 4, 059 votes. Secondly, the number of cancelled votes even without that of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area which he had earlier cancelled was 45, 312.
“Thirdly, the total number of registered voters in the affected areas are 139, 240.”
“Therefore, based on Section 26 Part 53 of the Electoral Act, I hereby declare this result inconclusive.”
He, therefore, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state to immediately conduct a re-run in the affected areas within 21 days.
The results of 19 out of 20 LGAs were announced by the various Collation Officers, with Tafawa Balewa cancelled.
Also, INEC has declared the gubernatorial election held last Saturday in Plateau state as inconclusive.
The results from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State early Monday morning showed Simon Lalong of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leading with 44, 929 votes.
The official declaration of results was made by the State Collation Officer, Prof. Richard Anande at about 3:00am where he declared results polled by the APC as 583,255 against the PDP’s Sen. Jeremiah Useni who polled 538,326.
Lalong had won in 11 of the 17 local government areas including Jos East, Kanke, Bokkos, Mikang, Pankshin, Kanam and Jos North local government areas. He also defeated the PDP in Wase, Mangu, Qua’an Pan and Shendam local government areas.
However, Lalong’s main challenger Sen. Useni had won in Langtang North, Langtang South, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Bassa and Riyom local government areas.
Prof. Anande who is also the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi put the total number of registered votes at 2,480,455 while accredited voters were 1,157,025.
He however said the total number of cancelled votes was put at 49,377 votes and therefore had exceeded the difference of 44,929.
He declared the results as inconclusive and ordered for supplementary elections to be conducted in the affected local government areas in the next 21 days.
