seunmsg:

PDP should go and sit down. They've lost the election already, so, what are they saying? They disagree with the legal opinion of the AGF and the decision of INEC but failed to offer their opinion on what should happened considering the legal quagmire that followed Audu's death.

Anybody or party that is not satisfied with INEC's decision should simply go to court. No need for any long story.

lets b objective enuff, PDP myt hav lost but the victor is dead wich makes this issue much more complicated, if there is gona b a new candidate then the previous election should b void..........its not constitution to transfer votes

deen4real7902:
The Peoples Democratic Party has demanded the resignation of the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over the decision to allow the All Progressives Congress to replace its governorship candidate for Kogi State.

The AGF and INEC had in the afternoon given the APC the go ahead to pick a replacement for the late Abubakar Audu, who died on Sunday – a day after contesting in the governorship election.



INEC had also decided to hold supplementary election in the 91 units where election was cancelled on Saturday on December 5.

However, the PDP condemned and rejected the decision to allow the APC replace its candidate, arguing that the decision was unconstitutional and that INEC was biased.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, told journalist in Abuja that the party had asked Malami to vacate his office “for harrying and misleading the Independent National Electoral Commission into arriving at an unconstitutional decision to allow the APC to substitute its candidate in the inconclusive Kogi state governorship election.”

Metuh said the party was shocked that INEC could allow itself to succumb to the antics of the APC “by following the unlawful directive of an obviously partisan AGF to substitute a candidate in the middle of the ballot process.”

The PDP described the decision of INEC and the AGF as bizarre, saying, “We are all aware that the two legal documents guiding INEC in the conduct of elections; the Constitution and the Electoral Act, have provisions for electoral exigencies as well as empower the electoral body to fully take responsibility for any of its actions or inaction without undue interference from any quarters whatsoever.

“We are therefore at a loss as to which sections of these two relevant laws, INEC and the AGF relied on in arriving at their bizarre decision to substitute a dead candidate in an ongoing election even after the timelines for such has elapsed under all the rules.”

According to the PDP, the implication of the decision will be that the APC will be fielding two different governorship candidates in the election, meaning that INEC will be transferring votes cast for late Prince Abubakar Audu to another candidate.

This, it said, were “scenarios that have no place in the constitution of the land.”

It added, “Whereas the PDP, in honour of the sanctity of human life and respect for the dead, had since Sunday refrained from making comments on the conduct of the election, we can no longer maintain such in the face of the barefaced attack on our democracy.

“This INEC under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has shown itself as partisan, morally bankrupt and obviously incapable of conducting a credible election within our laws.

“In view of the foregoing therefore, the PDP demands an immediate resignation of the INEC chairman, as the nation’s democracy cannot afford to be left in the hands of an electoral umpire that cannot exert its independence.”

Source: http://punchng.com/kogi-poll-resign-now-pdp-tells-agf-inec-chair/

I am now convience beyond any reasonable doubt that Chief Olisa Metuh is a Foool!

ldpele:
the apex court have time without numbers told Nigerians and lawyers that the case of ameachi shouldn't be cited any longer, because it was a real travesty of justice.

Oh really? When did that happen? Kindly provide a link/proof. We learn everyday.

tuniski:
they are never the same in spirit and letter! This is an unprecedented case. The supreme court will give a new position that will be Audu's law.

Time shall tell.

ODUBEZE:
Truly, it is absurd!
Many voted for the candidate not the party. Now that the candidate voted for is gone, a fresh election or the next candidate with the higher score should be ushered in!
AUDU should not be usurped!

How do u know 4 sure kogi pple voted 4 Audu & not APC,is Audu name on d ballot paper?

Olisa Metuh like to make noise sha, what happened to the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Amaechi vs PDP which ruled that votes cast are cast for the party and not the candidate? I think they (PDP)are staring defeat in the face and are confused on what to do.

gare:


If you have a brain and you are not baised, you would understand what Metuh is saying, you can't at this substitute another person half way into the election, either it is done before the election. You can't have two governorship candidates for one elections, are you now saying PDP can change its governorship candidates?

What INEC ought to do is to cancel and call for a fresh elections or give it to pdp, this are the lapses in our constitution we ought to look at, not insulting ourselves every now and then

Yes pdp can change its governorship candidate, if governorship candidate dies or withdrawn according to electoral act.

macfarland:
WAHALA DEY O!
If this rape on democracy going on in Kogi and orchestrated by INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation is allowed to stand, and the citizens accept it, then we have really entered a dark era.
If you don't speak out now, don't complain when it reaches your doorstep.
What section of the Constitution did INEC and the AGF rely on to arrive at the conclusion that APC can present a fresh candidate for the re-run elections and credit that candidate with Audu 's votes?
If una like, make una keep silent. Me I don talk my own. My conscience don free.

mumu.....what was on the ballot paper?....APC or Audu

seunmsg:

PDP should go and sit down. They've lost the election already, so, what are they saying? They disagree with the legal opinion of the AGF and the decision of INEC but failed to offer their opinion on what should happened considering the legal quagmire that followed Audu's death.

Anybody or party that is not satisfied with INEC's decision should simply go to court. No need for any long story.

Talk is very cheap but being fair and neutral in judging others can make talk very expensive. PDP has not said Audu hadn't the potentials of winning the election if he had not died. The Nigerian constitution has no provision for two candidates to represent a party in one election. It is just like saying because it was the PDP that won the Taraba state election, PDP should be allowed to conduct another primary and come take the mandate. What PDP has said here in simple term is that, this is unconstitutional so should be encouraged before it results to intra state/ inter tribal war. This is injustice of the highest order.

coolsegun:


Yes pdp can change its governorship candidate, if governorship candidate dies or withdrawn according to electoral act.

The change can only be done BEFORE the commencement of the polls. Section 36(1) of the Electoral Act clearly states so.

johnpalmer774:




You have a very Good Point but you need to understand something that we are not the same in our way of thinking , Some voted for Party while some voted for personalty for example during 2015 general Election in my Area after voting for Buahri i voted for all others APC Candidates without even know their Names that means i voted for PARTY not the Candidates , another example When Governor Fayose left PDP to contest as Senatorial candidate under LP he didn't win despite his Popularity but he came back to PDP and win the Governorship Election that means no matter how Popular you may be Party is still play some Major role , Agbaje would have won in Lagos if he came out under APC because Lagosians didn't vote for Ambode instead they voted for APC.

The Constitution did not envisage the kogi scenario and as such did not make any provision for it, so there is no interpretation to be given by the supreme court on the matter.....the AGF and INEC have taken the best and just decision in the issue...INEC has no powers to cancel elections once announced...only the courts can do that..moreover on what grounds does PDP wants the elections to be voided and fresh elections conducted?..if it was PDP candidate that was leading,would they have been callling for fresh elections...how about if it was one of the candidates of the other smaller parties that died?...would anybody have been calling for fresh elections.. PDP should just shut it and lock their wounds....they should even be ashamed of themselves asking for fresh elections...what was on the ballot paper sef..APC OR AUDU

henryuzor:

The Constitution did not envisage the kogi scenario and as such did not make any provision for it, so there is no interpretation to be given by the supreme court on the matter.....the AGF and INEC have taken the best and just decision in the issue...INEC has no powers to cancel elections once announced...only the courts can do that..moreover on what grounds does PDP wants the elections to be voided and fresh elections conducted?..if it was PDP candidate that was leading,would they have been callling for fresh elections...how about if it was one of the candidates of the other smaller parties that died?...would anybody have been calling for fresh elections.. PDP should just shut it and lock their wounds....they should even be ashamed of themselves asking for fresh elections...what was on the ballot paper sef..APC OR AUDU

PDP isn't calling for fresh elections. They are simply saying that it's against the electoral act for APC to conduct fresh primaries in the middle of an election.

ODUBEZE:
Truly, it is absurd!
Many voted for the candidate not the party. Now that the candidate voted for is gone, a fresh election or the next candidate with the higher score should be ushered in!
AUDU should not be usurped!

Hope you already matured politically when the Supreme Court held that it is the party that voters casted their votes for and not the candidate. Pls refer to the case of Rotimi C. Amaechi vs. Celestine Omehia

gare:


If you have a brain and you are not baised, you would understand what Metuh is saying, you can't at this substitute another person half way into the election, either it is done before the election. You can't have two governorship candidates for one elections, are you now saying PDP can change its governorship candidates?

What INEC ought to do is to cancel and call for a fresh elections or give it to pdp, this are the lapses in our constitution we ought to look at, not insulting ourselves every now and then

You must be "PDPcally" inclined. There is no sense in what u and your party are saying. Audu is dead, how do you arrive at 2 candidates for d apc. Then what option is your party profering except to cancel the election or to declare your candidate winner. Very wrong!
Moreso, Parties have votes in eyes of the law not candidates. You hear?

ShowYourCertificate:
PDP isn't calling for fresh elections. They are simply saying that it's against the electoral act for APC to conduct fresh primaries in the middle of an election.

Then, what is the PDP saying INEC should do concerning the election?

PDP should go and sit one place, make God punish them wel wel..who dem help? as far i'm concern PDP is a goner,, i'm waiting for fayose to talk him own. agbero ppl

Mr PDP spokes man...... Okay.

Let olisa metuh use d case of rivers state in 2007 as a case study. D party is voted for and not the candidate

midep:
Olisa Metuh get a brain and make use of your senses. Individual name is not recognise by law during an Election but the Party hence the need for the substitution of Audu Abubakar name.

Olodo Agbaya. ....

Though someone has given you a kinda good response, however, the bigger picture pdp is stressing here is the interference of the executive arm in electoral matters. If you read through metuh statements, you would realise that the APC has already giving the stance of the ruling party, then inec makes a statement that's in the union with the APC which implies that FG is interfering in the whole process that's suppose to be indepedent. It's called Independent National Electoral Commission for a reason

When you r travelling on a journey n d tyre of your became bad what would u do? you change n continue d journey not going back to start afresh. Same case applies here, Audi shld b substituted not starting afresh.

Lawsteller:
Then, what is the PDP saying INEC should do concerning the election?

Very simple, PDP is saying that the election should be conducted in such a way that the constitution and the electoral act is not violated. INEC has several options in that regard. They don't need PDP to lecture them on that.

seunmsg:

PDP should go and sit down. They've lost the election already, so, what are they saying? They disagree with the legal opinion of the AGF and the decision of INEC but failed to offer their opinion on what should happened considering the legal quagmire that followed Audu's death.

Anybody or party that is not satisfied with INEC's decision should simply go to court. No need for any long story.

Guy you are not far from the truth......AGF and INEC should have known that rather than dancing naked showing their partisanship.....anyway what did you expect from AGF who was handpick by SAI BABA

agabee:
When you r travelling on a journey n d tyre of your became bad what would u do? you change n continue d journey not going back to start afresh. Same case applies here, Audi shld b substituted not starting afresh.

Gheraut here making no sense .......so if your father is dead can you allow your mom to marry another man to Bleep your mom and bare a child to your fathers name idiot

[quote author=seunmsg post=40375951]

Give what to PDP? Even Metuh won't make such demand.

The constitution and electoral act are both silent in the event of the present situation in Kogi state. So therefore, it is left for INEC as the umpire to take a decision based on the spirit of the law and what they can infer to be the intention of the drafters of the law. If PDP is not satisfied with INEC's decision, they should go to court. [/quote ]

Bro remember that INEC do not have have the power to assume the same way INEC do not have the power to cancel result they have declear. I think Inec should have approach the supreme court for interpretation and guidance rather than working with AGF directive.

gare:


If you have a brain and you are not baised, you would understand what Metuh is saying, you can't at this substitute another person half way into the election, either it is done before the election. You can't have two governorship candidates for one elections, are you now saying PDP can change its governorship candidates?

What INEC ought to do is to cancel and call for a fresh elections or give it to pdp, this are the lapses in our constitution we ought to look at, not insulting ourselves every now and then

U must high on pdp weed

TonyeBarcanista:

May God bless you for the emboldened.

Thanks .

PDP and Metuh and loosers, What do they want AGF and INEC to say? is PDP contesting against APC or Audi? Make PDP, Metuh and their co wailers Go and Die

midep:
Olisa Metuh get a brain and make use of your senses. Individual name is not recognise by law during an Election but the Party hence the need for the substitution of Audu Abubakar name.

Olodo Agbaya. ....

So, do you think the newly appointed candidate for the supplementary election would have been able to withstand Wada, let alone defeating him assuming he won the APC primary election from the on-set?

kosiebe:
PDP should go and sit one place, make God punish them wel wel..who dem help? as far i'm concern PDP is a goner,, i'm waiting for fayose to talk him own. agbero ppl

I expected you to first speak as a Nigerian... This is not about playing politics, PDP or Fayose, It's about the well-being of the nation...

A fresh poll would have been the best option while the law awaits review. In this case, no one would feel cheated because It also give the parties a level playing ground. What if the person that died is from Labour Party or other unknown political parties?