Governor Idris Wada is lamenting his fate even as early results showed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, has taken an early lead in yesterday’s governorship election in Kogi State. Wada, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) closely trailed behind the former governor, who is his arch-rival.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that collation and announcement of results will commence at 6 O’clock this morning.

The voting pattern showed that while the incumbent governor gained massive votes in the Central Senatorial District, the APC candidate was leading in the Eastern and Western Senatorial Districts. In Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, the ballots counted in some polling units showed that the APC was leading. At the Bishop Crowther Memorial polling unit 012 Lokoja, for instance, the counting showed that the APC scored 169 votes while the PDP recorded 129 votes. At the New Layout polling unit also located in Lokoja, the APC recorded 148 votes while the PDP got 110 votes. At another polling unit called Cinema Hall located at Angwan Tiv, the APC recorded 185 votes while the PDP got 167.

The results monitored at some polling units in the western part of Kogi State also showed the APC in the lead. At the Kabba/Bunu St. Barnabas unit at Odolu ward the APC recorded 206 votes while the PDP got 95 votes. At Ijumu Ayere unit 03: APC recorded 101 votes while the PDP got 58 votes. Elsewhere at Ayegunle Gede/Iluhafon ward the APC scored 167 votes while the PDP got 41 votes while at Oja Otun Iyara ward the APC got 146 votes, while the PDP recorded 36 votes. Similarly at the Demonstration Kabba Okekoko ward the APC got 171 and the PDP got 70 while at Akefe unit the PDP got 138 votes leaving the APC with 117 votes.

Other results are as follows: Ogori- Magongo, ENI Ward unit 002; PDP 33; APC 29, Awi compound unit: PDP 34 APC 24; Ochadamu Polling Unit, Olofu - Ochadamu: APC 149 - PDP 164. Ogbakpedo Polling Unit, Ochadamu Ward: APC 80 - PDP 78.

Ankpa Ojuku ward Bangele Unit 1: PDP 346, APC 49; Akefe Unit: PDP 138 APC 117; Kabba: Unit 2.: PDP 71, APC-43; Unit 3:PDP- 114-APC 27; Unit 4: PDP- 148 APC 21; Okene LGA: Agassa ward in Okene, Unit 5,PDP- 57, APC- 24; Unit 6,PDP- 18, APC- 51; Unit 7-PDP34, APC-25; Unit 8:PDP- 134, APC 27; Inoko Isaac unit Ajekeyi: PDP- 95 APC- 24; Olowa Etiaja unit: PDP 141, APC-0

Wada, Audu differ on polls conduct

Governor Wada, whose fingerprints were rejected by the card reader during accreditation at his ward in Dekina Local Government Area, expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the polls.

Governor Wada was particularly disappointment over the failure of the card readers as well as non-availability of incident forms for other voters whose fingerprints were also rejected by the card reader at the polling unit.

“It seems it was a deliberate attempt to sabotage the process; there are few incident forms here and there are no photocopiers to produce more. As you can see there are so many people here that are going to be disenfranchised which is not fair,” Wada lamented.

According to him he had received reports of thuggery and ballot box snatching in Ayingba despite the massive deployment of security personnel for the election.

He said: “I am going to call the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) after leaving here and hope they will do something about the situation.”

Wada, however, commended the level of enthusiasm exhibited by the electorate and their turnout, pointing out that the card reader was denying the people the rights to exercise their franchise.

Prince Audu, however, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the polls, describing it as most organised and peaceful but acknowledged what he described as minor hitches.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after casting his vote at polling Unit 002 LGEA Primary School, Ogbonicha, Prince Audu said the people of the state would have the strength to realise their long dream of actualising the change mantra in the state.

Prince Audu, who cast his vote at about 1:40 p.m., said though reports indicated that there were issues about snatching of electoral materials at Ankpa, Anyigba and other few places, the exercise was generally peaceful.

•Photo shows Prince Abubakar Audu.

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