INEC declares Yahaya Bello Kogi governor-elect

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yahaya Bello, winner of the Kogi governorship election.

Bello emerged the winner after election on Saturday in 91 Polling Units where supplementary election was held.

Declaring the results of the election, the Returning Officer, Prof. Emmanuel Kucha, said the APC candidate polled 247,752 to defeat the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and incumbent governor, Captain Idris Wada, with 204,877 votes.

Kucha declared: “That Yahaya Bello, having polled the highest number of votes and satisfied the law is hereby returned elected”.

Collation of the supplementary election results started late Saturday night, with the official of the electoral body giving a breakdown of results from the earlier election held on November 21.

The electoral body had declared the election of November 21 inconclusive and fixed a supplementary poll for December 5.

Bello emerged replacement for Prince Abubakar Audu as the candidate of the APC after the latter’s death on November 22.

Based on the outcome of the supplementary election of December 5, Bello scored 6,885 votes, while Wada 5,363.

The collation of results was temporarily paused when an unidentified agent of the PDP asked about the status of APC running mate. But the Resident Electoral Commissioner said James Faleke remains the running mate to Bello.

Immediately the results were announced, the streets of Lokoja, Kotonkarfe and Okene erupted in jubilation as people poured into the streets in hundreds to celebrate the victory.

Final results

Ibaji: PDP 220 APC 369

Adavi: PDP 12 APC 878

Ankpa PDP 629 APC 562

Ajaokuta: PDP 12 APC 538

Omala: PDP 323 APC 317

Igalamela/Odolu PDP 434 APC 92

Ofu: PDP 484 APC 105

Dekina: PDP 1999 APC 2178

Kabba/Bunu: PDP 131 APC 201

Ijumu: PDP 102 APC 86

Lokoja: PDP 145 APC 301

Kogi/Koto: PDP 281 APC 406

Yagba West: PDP 73 APC 86

Okene: PDP 02 APC 208

Okehi: PDP 0 APC 108

Idah: PDP 70 APC 62

Bassa: PDP 114 APC 221

Olamaboro PDP 332 APC 167

Total: PDP 5363 APC 6885

Grand Total: PDP 204,877

APC 247,752