Idris floors Audu, again: Idris, 518,581; Audu, 175,978 - It’s testimony of people's love for me, says Idris - Audu heads for tribunal

Johnson Babajide, Lokoja - 31.03.2008

THE standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, was on Sunday declared the winner of Saturday’s governorship election.

Alhaji Idris polled 518,581 to defeat his rival, Prince Abubakar Audu of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) who scored 175,978.

According to the result released by the state resident electoral commissioner, Mr. Ayo Adakeja, the PDP candidate won in 18 out of the 20 local government areas of the state, while his ANPP counterpart won only in two local government areas.

The election in Okene was cancelled due to the petition by the ANPP that there was violence in the local government area during the election.

Also, the election of 14 units from four local government areas was cancelled due to report of irregularities. The council areas affected were Dekina (two), Kogi (two), Ibaji (five) and nine units in Ofu local government areas.

The breakdown of the results showed the breaking of the Action Congress stronghold by the PDP in the central zone of the state where the running mate to Prince Audu in the alliance, Senator Muhammed Ohiare, hails from.

Out of the five council areas of the zone, ANPP won in Adavi while the PDP took Okehi, Ajaokuta and Ogori Magongo council areas.

Also, Prince Audu lost in his local government area, Ofu, while Suleiman Babanawa, a retired Colonel and chieftain of MRDD, was able to deliver his council area at Olamaboro.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scored itself high over the conduct of the election.

National Commissioner for Media and Publicity, Mr. Phillip Umeadi, disclosed this shortly after the election, stressing that the success recorded in the preparations for and conduct of the election was unprecedented in the history of election in Nigeria.

According to Umeadi, the commission had deployed no fewer than 6,000 of its staff drawn from many parts of the country for the election, a number he disclosed was far greater than the number of staff ever used in any election all over the Nigeria.

Umeadi disclosed that the efforts of the INEC staff were further complemented by the members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who did not only assist in monitoring, but also in conducting the election in many parts of the state.

The INEC commissioner said that for the first time ever in the history of Nigerian elections, the commission had been able to do without adhoc staff to conduct an election.

Noting that the logistic problems recorded while the election lasted were natural, Umeadi stressed that it was a human factor, adding that the solace of the commission was in the fact that there were sufficient electoral materials for use.

He also said that more results of the election would come out today (Monday). In his own comment, INEC Resident Commissioner in Kogi State, Mr. Adakeja, corroborated Umeadi’s assertion, saying that before the election, the commission held a meeting with relevant stakeholders on how to ensure a peaceful conduct of the election.

According to him, all stakeholders had agreed to do everything possible within their reach to maintain peace during the election, a development which he said would readily absolve the commission from any blame over violence or other electoral malpractices that might have arisen during the election.

Meanwhile, Audu has stated that he would proceed to the election tribunal to challenge his defeat. Audu, who addressed the press shortly after the release of the result, said that he was not satisfied with the result.

Audu described the election as a sham, saying that it was marred by irregularities, stressing that there were cases of hijacking of ballot boxes across the state.

He said he had already contacted his counsel to begin the process of filing his case before the tribunal. Also on Sunday, Alhaji Idris described his victory as a testimony to the love the people have for the party in the state and particularly himself.

The governor-elect promised to repay the people’s confidence in him by building on his past achievements. While calling on his opponents to support him in his quest to develop the state, Idris said he was ready to correct all the past mistakes.

According to him, "the result of yesterday’s election which was overwhelmingly given to me confirms your love and support for the party, particularly myself.

“I promise to serve the state with the best of my ability for the development of our state and I will strive to correct the past mistakes in a bid to hasten the development of our dear state."

Alhaji Idris thanked President Umaru Yar'Adua, security agents, the media, the acting governor and other stakeholders in the state for their support before and during the election.

Lokoja, the state capital, went agog on Sunday as supporters of Alhaji Idris thronged the major roads dancing and rejoicing over the victory the party recorded last Saturday.

The major roads of Lokoja were like carnival scenes.