Since the death of Audu Abubakar, the Governorship candidate of APC and the leading candidate in the yet-to-be concluded Kogi state Governorship election, tongues have been wagging and opinions have been divided on what should be the next line with respect to the said election. To some, the election should be outrightly cancelled because the Governorship candidate of APC is gone. To some others, the APC should be disqualified for having 'No Candidate', while some others opined that the APC should nominate a new governorship candidate to complete the process.

Firstly, the election can't be cancelled because INEC has NO power according to the Electoral Act (2010) and the 1999 Constitution to cancel any election when declared. It lies with the COURT. The only way election can be cancelled is when both the Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates of a political party dies. In this case, the Deputy Governorship candidate of APC, James Faleke is still alive. Hence, INEC has no choice but to continue with the process.

Secondly, APC followed the legal process in the nomination of Audu Abubakar and Hon James Faleke as the Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates respectively. The Electoral Act never prescribe disqualification of political party on account of death of its Governorship or Deputy Governorship candidate. Considering that the Electoral Act and Supreme Court judgement maintained that political parties not candidates stand for election, it simply means APC remains in the race and in pole position to form new Kogi state government when Idris Wada's tenure elapse despite the demise of Audu.

Why Hon James Faleke Should Succeed Audu
That established, the next is who should succeed Audu Abubakar as APC candidate? Let us recall that the Electoral Act and Constitution was silent on what should happen in the event that a Governor-elect denounce his mandate before his inauguration as at 1998. When Atiku Abubakar rescinded his mandate for the VP candidate of Segun Obasanjo of PDP, INEC felt there was need for a fresh PDP candidate for a new election. PDP and the Adamawa state Deputy-Gov-elect Boni Haruna as then was went to court. The SC ruled that PDP won the election with Atiku/Haruna as candidates, and in the eyes of the law, Atiku was 'dead'. Hence, Haruna should replace Atiku as PDP Governorship candidate and be sworn-in as Adamawa state Governor. After the judgement, the Electoral Act and Constitution were amended to reflect the SC interpretation. In this situation, considering the fact that the law allows for the Deputy to succeed his/her boss in the event of death of the Governor-elect (after election has been concluded) and the Governor (after inauguration), it is only normal and in accordance with the positions of the SC judgements and the law tthat Hon James Faleke, the APC Kogi state Deputy Governorship candidate be upgraded to the substantive Governorship-candidate of APC, while the party nominates a new running mate.

The Position of Running Mate Is For Purpose Like This
We also have to realise that the purpose of running mate is not to 'fill space' but to step-in in case of any eventuality of the main candidate. This is why the VP assumes the role of President in event of death, and not the runner-up in the Presidential election. It is also the reason the VP-elect assume the position of President-elect in event of death of the President-elect and not the runner-up of the election. This is same reason the APC Deputy Governorship-candidate of Kogi state (James Faleke) will/should assume the position of Governorship-candidate and not the runner-up in the APC Primary election. Hence, the APC should 'do the needful and nominate a new Deputy-Gov candidate.

A Fresh Primary Is Illegal and Unconstitutional
However, should APC elect for a fresh primary, then that will amount to illegality as no section of the Electoral Act and the Constitution give room for primary when election is ongoing. I believe that the court will nullify it. It is my belief that the only legitimate thing is for Faleke to be made the candidate.

Why I'm Behind Hon James Faleke's Ascension:
My position on this subject is precipitated on the need for being on the side of justice irrespective of who the beneficiary may be. Justice is justice, there is no basis for opposing justice because it doesn't favor our ethnic or political scheme. For those against Faleke on basis of his non-Igala heritage, I urge you to accept the new development for in the interest of the state.




May God Bless Us All and Bless Kogi state.

Barcanista at it again.. Nice one.
I hope to see you on one of these political seats one day, I will vote for u



FTC
Chocolate cream

CC: Dominique Lalasticlala Obinoscopy and Seun

okay o but whaz the fuss about nominating an igala man to replace audu....since apc is leading by 40000 votes and the total registered voters in dekina lga is 49000...of which all the 49000 voters cannot come out to vote even if apc nominate an igbo man to step in for audu
so apc should just go with faleke or yahaya

PROTECTION(SEEKER)

Hmm! gradually somebody is coming back home. We will receive you like the father received the prodigal son. We missed you, cos u made some of us aligned with where we are before you deviated.

My advice for u, maintain this balance and neutrality in your reportage. That is where u rightly belong.

Moheat:
let me know when this gets to front page



Bye

That is if your post don't get hidden

georjay:
okay o but whaz the fuss about nominating an igala man to replace audu....since apc is leading by 40000 votes and the total registered voters in dekina lga is 49000...of which all the 49000 voters cannot come out to vote even if apc nominate an igbo man to step in for audu
so apc should just go with faleke or yahaya

Yahaya or whatever can be Deputy but he isn't qualified to be the main candidate. APC should let Faleke continue the mandate. I am sure some cabal are ganged up against him @faleke. But justice must prevail!

Yea! Detailed analysis with no atom of bias.

TonyeBarcanista:

Yahaya or whatever can be Deputy but he isn't qualified to be the main candidate. APC should let Faleke continue the mandate. I am sure some cabal are ganged up against him @faleke. But justicr must prevail!

well i concur

What's your own

Bless you my brother @ Tonyebarcanista,..

I dare you to maintain this neutrality, it will save you lots of insults - which your posts are synonymous with.

I totally concur with this; the Faleke guy should be made the substantive candidate of the APC in the election. This is very similar to the Yaradua - GEJ case were the Yaradua Hausa-Fulani cabal refused a gentle and uninfluential GEJ from being made acting president and almost plunging the country into a needless crisis.

Faleke and Audu had been running around, spending their money on campaigns, and now with the APC being 99.5% sure of winning the election, calling for any primaries now would amount to just imposing a governor in the state.

what is your business with apc?

seeking protection?
we dont need your "pretending to care" attitude

are you trying to defect

IMHO, i don't really know what to say whether to continue the election or call for fresh election. But if i am to advise PDP then they should approach the supreme court for proper interpretation of the constitution
@topic proper, Faleke should be made the Governorship candidate because going back to conduct primary will cause more enmity in APC camp than before which i believe PDP might capitalise on .
Anyway, wishing Kogites all the best in choosing their leader.

Since joining nairaland this is d first tym i will see a thread by Tonye written with unbias mind.

Or the guy wan decamp cum APC.?

APC is only doing this because of eventualities especially within the party, which I think it's not necessary. In the process of doing the right thing, you don't end up doing the wrong. I believe Faleke will be among the candidate and he. will eventually win it.

georjay:


All the way from I jaw

#political prostitute#
I no mention anybody oooo.
tunda fire ur leftball for quoting me.

explorer250:
are you trying to defect

That is inconsequential. Now to the topic, I disagree with the fact, that INEC should continue with the supplementary elections. But I agree with the OP, on the issue of continuing with Faleke as the APC gubernatorial candidate. But, for their own good, they should go with Echonu, because, even if Faleke is made govenor, his tenure will be hellish and disastrous. Kogi is not Osun.

Good analysis. I agree with u fully. because faleke is of minority tribe and minority religion in kogi state, they dont want him to be governor.

U are so on point

explorer250:
are you trying to defect

VERY LIKELY.

lalasticlala Since TonyeBarcanista Started Writing Unbiased articles, you Guys stopped featuring his threads on the Front Page. Why?

well party goals comes b4 individual
the party dictates here not whether he's supposed to take d mandate...the party dictates the suitability nau

Ik.ology:
PROTECTION(SEEKER)

The moment wailers starts calling their fellow wailer a "protection seeker".......


God,I thank you o!

NgeneUkwenu:
lalasticlala Since TonyeBarcanista Started Writing Unbiased articles, you Guys stopped featuring his threads on the Front Page. Why?

lalasticlala, is this true?

too bad!

maupe:

That is inconsequential. Now to the topic, I disagree with the fact, that INEC should continue with the supplementary elections. But I agree with the OP, on the issue of continuing with Faleke as the APC gubernatorial candidate. But, for their own good, they should go with Echonu, because, even if Faleke is made govenor, his tenure will be hellish and disastrous. Kogi is not Osun.

My friend, the Echonu guy should lobby for Deputy slot because the Governorship slot is not vacant . Those against a non-Igala leading the state should wait till 2019...

Beremx:
lalasticlala, is this true?

too bad!

You dey ask? When was the last time, you saw his threads on the Front Page?

Cc: Seun Obinoscopy

Barcanista I thought you are a blind PDP follower.