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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that fresh elections will be conducted in some wards in Kogi State due to irregularities.
Kogi residents went to the poll on Saturday, November 11, 2023, to elect a governor who will succeed the incumbent, Yahaya Bello, come January 14, 2024.
However, the exercise was enmeshed in controversy from the get-go as some result sheets in wards in the Ogori/Magongo local government area of the state were said to have been pre-filled before the commencement of voting.
In response, the electoral umpire suspended elections in the nine affected wards on Saturday and said further communication would be made on the way forward.
Meanwhile, a statement on Sunday night by Mohammed Haruna, an INEC National Commissioner, said fresh elections would held in the affected areas on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
“The most critical incident occurred in nine out of 10 Wards in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area (LGA).
“We received reports of similar and other incidents in Adavi (5 Polling Units in Okunchi/Ozuri/Onieka Ward), Ajaokuta (5 Polling Units in Adogo Ward), Okehi (1 Polling Unit in Eika/Ohizenyi Ward) and Okene (5 Polling Units in Obehira Uvete Ward). Results from the affected Polling Units have been accounted for in Form EC40G for the four LGAs.
“However, in the case of Ogori/Magongo LGA, only the result of Oshobane Ward II with eight Polling Units and 2,264 registered voters has been collated. Election in the other nine Wards (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) involving 59 Polling Units and 15,136 registered voters remain suspended.
"In line with Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 59 of INEC Regulations and Guidelines on the Conduct of Elections 2022, fresh election will be held on Saturday 18th November 2023 in the affected Polling Units.
“The decision to hold fresh elections is subject to the Returning Officer’s determination of the application of the Margin of Lead Principle. However, this decision is without prejudice to our avowed commitment to follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who may have been complicit in undermining the process and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary.
“The Commission wishes to reiterate its assurances to voters in Kogi State that their votes will continue to count and their wishes respected,” the statement said.
So far, results from 20 out of 21 local governments in Kogi State have been announced, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Usman Ododo, leading the pack with the majority of total votes.