The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has said that James Faleke, the running mate to former All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Abubakar Audu cannot be named governor of the state.
In reaching the judgment today, June 6, 2016, the tribunal held that that Faleke could not be declared governor because he did not participate in the APC primaries in the state.
According to tribunal member, Justice Halima Mohammed, Faleke’s bid failed because he was not nominated by the APC as its substantive candidate in the elections.
Faleke filed the suit in an attempt to unseat Governor Yahaya Bello but according to Mohammed, “votes cast in an election belong to a political party” hence it was lawful for the party to transfer votes polled by Audu to Bello.
Bello was chosen by the APC to replace Audu following the latter’s sudden death after the election which held on November 22, 2015.
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