THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor-elect in the election conducted on December 3, last year, Captain Idris Wada, was duly elected as the governor of the state.

The chairman of the commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, who spoke in Abuja at a press conference on the Supreme Court judgment of last Friday on the tenure of five former governors, advised that Captain Wada “should be sworn in immediately,” saying that the governorship election was a concluded election.

Professor Jega declared that the commission arrived at the decision, “having carefully studied the judgment and after due consultation with its legal team.”

He, however, said that the outstanding governorship elections in the other four states will be held as follows, Adamawa- Saturday, February 4; Bayelsa- Saturday, February 11; Sokoto—Saturday, February 18 and Cross River—Saturday- February 25.

Professor Jega declared that only the candidates who emerged after the Court of Appeal judgment of April 15, 2011 would be recognised as candidates in the elections.

The position of the commission has finally sealed the hope of former Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State from contesting the governorship race.

Professor Jega said that as a law-abiding commission, it would continue to obey court orders in the course of its assignments.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the PDP, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, has commended the decision of the INEC on the Kogi State governorship election, saying that the party would reclaim the remaining four states at the polls.

Chief Babatope, who spoke in Abuja, however, advised the acting governors in the affected states, Adamawa, Sokoto, Bayelsa and Cross River States to remain loyal to the party and take the cue from Sokoto State acting governor, Alhaji Lawal Zayyana, who had expressed delight in see former governor of the state, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko back in office to enable him to continue his developmental projects in the state.

Meanwhile, before the declaration of INEC that Captain Wada should be sworn in as the Kogi State governor, there were contentions as to who actually was the governor of Kogi State, as both Wada and former speaker, Alhaji Abdulahi Bello assumed offices on Monday in that capacity.

Bello’s first assignment was to dissolve the cabinet of the former governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, with immediate effect.

Bello, in his statement issued through his Special Assistant on Media, Alhaji Ibrahim Isa Amoka on Monday, said the oath of office was administered to him by the Chief Judge of Kogi State on the January 27, 2012 in line with the constitution.

He assured the people of the state that he would not submit himself to any act that would be deemed to be an affront to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Bello, therefore, relieved the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff and all other political appointees of their appointments with immediate effect, urging the affected officers to hand over all government properties in their possession to the permanent secretaries or the most senior staff in their respective ministries or departments.

He also directed all security agencies in the state to provide adequate security measure for the protection of life and property.

However, Wada, who arrive in Lokoja in a convoy with security men from Abuja, was in a car with coat of arms with inscription “Governor of Kogi State.”

On arrival, he went into the governor's office despite the heavy presence of security men at the Government House.

Before Wada’s arrival, members of the Kogi State House of Assembly left Lokoja for Abuja to make their position known to PDP and the Federal Government.

Before their journey to Abuja on Monday afternoon, the members met and passed a vote of confidence in the acting governor, Alhaji Bello.

Seventeen out of the 24 members supported the resolution and said it was a constitutional matter, adding that only a court of competent jurisdiction could reverse the order.

The meeting was presided over by the acting Speaker of the House, Honourable Emmanuel Omebije.

The assembly noted that it was not unmindful of the provision of the law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended and, therefore, could not do otherwise other than to obey the rule of law.
At the time of filing this report, the acting governor was still in Abuja holding a series of meetings.

Sources close to the acting governor disclosed to the Nigerian Tribune that the issue would soon be resolved as the Federal Government was expected to come out with a categorical statement.

Sylva kicks
Meanwhile, former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has rejected the position of the INEC that says only political parties' candidates, which emerged after the Court of Appeal judgment of April 15, 2011 are qualified to contest in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Doifie Ola, made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja on Monday, Sylva said INEC had no right to interpret the recent Supreme Court judgment which terminated his tenure along with four other state governors.

“Sylva believes that under our laws, it is not the place of INEC to interpret any court judgment. He does not regard the INEC position as final. For him, the Supreme Court is better placed to resolve the matter of the proper candidate for the PDP in the Bayelsa State governorship election” the statement read.

It recalled that only last Monday, the Supreme Court granted Sylva leave to validate his candidacy in the election.

Comments (3)

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What About Rotimi Amaechi?
written by Adisa Adigun, January 31, 2012

were the proposed elections in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Sokoto and Cross Rivers previously scheduled? The international convention is 90 days preparation. INEC also need to approach the supreme court on Rotimi Amechi tenure. It will only be justice if he is allowed to serve a full four year tearm. It is injustice for a Stolen tern term to be counted as part of his term irrespective of what party the "Thiefing rouge' that illegally occupied the office belong. I am asking for a resolution so that Nigerian Court can have a precedent to referre to in the future.

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inec and the five states election
written by collins, January 31, 2012

what is the reason for INEC to conduct elections in the four states on different dates.the 2011 April guber elections of over 20 states were conducted in one day.remember according to the judgment,elections would have been held in these states on the same day in April 26th 2011.please INEC should conduct the elections on the same day.On Kogi,the election that brought in Capt. Wada Idris was under contention by INEC at the supreme court. This election was based on the tenure elongation judgment that is now set aside by the apex court. now that supreme court has ruled in favor of INEC it would have proper proper for INEC to conduct a fresh elections in Kogi to avoid some form of litigation.why the hurry lets do it right for once.

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INEC IS AN AGENCY UNDER PDP
written by zubairu, January 31, 2012

In which sections in our constitution that give INEC power to interpret Law,as they did for this recent concluded judgment of the supreme court concerning whether those five governors are eligible to contest election or not.

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