The running mate of the late Abubakar Audu in the Kogi State Governorship election, James Faleke, has picked Audu’s son, Mohammed as his running mate.
Announcing the decision in Lokoja, Faleke called on the All Progressive Congress to endorse them for the governorship race.
Faleke denied reports that his relationship with the late Audu’s family had broken down.
He added, “I carry the moral burden as I believe many others here today do, mine being more, to defend the interest, vision and the leadership tenets of our great leader and therefore state clearly that we are more united than ever before without cracks in the political family.”
The development adds a new twist to the drama that is playing out following the death of Audu on November 22, the same day the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the election inconclusive.
Although lawyers differ on the right course of action, INEC authorised the APC to replace its late candidate, a decision supported by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
INEC also fixed December 5 for the supplementary poll in the 91 polling units in which the election was cancelled.
The APC subsequently picked Yahaya Bello replace Audu, who had 41,000-vote lead before his death.
Faleke, however, rejected the decision, arguing that he should be the candidate for the party.
The Peoples Democratic Party also rejected INEC’s decision, accusing it and the AGF of being biased. It said Audu’s death meant that the APC had crashed out of the election and that its candidate, incumbent governor, Idris Wada, should be declared the winner. Agency report
