Wamakko returns as Sokoto gov

[DT]

Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko is due to be sworn in this week for a second term as governor of Sokoto State, following his victory in the governorship election held on Saturday.

Wamakko's return, weeks after he was ousted by the Supreme Court, would be the third time he would be taking the oath of office since 2007. His first election was cancelled in 2008 and he went on to win a re-run, thereby taking a second oath. Last month, the Supreme Court said his tenure—along with four other governors—had elapsed since May last year, leading to the conduct of Saturday's fresh election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission yesterday said Wamakko of the Peoples Democratic Party won in all the 23 local government areas of the state with a very wide merging, scoring a total of 518,247 votes.

Announcing the result at the Sultan Maccido Institute for Qur'an and General Studies, the chief returning officer Professor Abdullahi Zuru said Wamakko polled 71.18 per cent of the total 728,108 votes cast.

All Nigeria Peoples Party candidate Yusha'u Ahmed Mohammed came second with a total of 131,048, followed by candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change Abubakar Aliyu who scored 7,323 votes.

Zuru, who is the Vice Chancellor of Kebbi State University, Alero, said a total of 43,618 votes were rejected. The state's register of voters has a total of 2,453,857 voters.

Even before the winner was declared, ANPP candidate Mohammed rejected the results describing the process as a charade.

Addressing journalists at the residence of former governor Attahiru Bafarawa, Mohammed called on INEC to organise a fresh election.

"We are rejecting in totality whatever the result of the election might be. We want INEC to organise a new election that will be supervised by unbiased persons. There were numerous incidences of ballot stuffing, snatching and violence.

"Our agents were kidnapped and forced to sign result sheets of election under duress. Out of 3035 polling units there were violence in more than half and election did not hold in more than 25 per cent of the polling units, yet they are announcing results. We have concrete evidences to back our claims," he said.

Shortly after the press conference, supporters of the ANPP took to the street protesting the manner the election was conducted.

The protest started at Bafarawa's house with supporters, mainly youths, chanting "Sai Yushau!" They also blocked the road for minutes.

Daily Trust learnt that Wamakko is likely to receive his certificate of return today and to be sworn in tomorrow.



DailyTrust