Faleke threatens court action as Kogi East Senatorial APC nominates Audu’s son, Mohammed, to replace him

Even as the running mate to the late Prince Abubakar Audu in the November 21 election in Kogi State, James Abiodun Faleke, has threatened to go to court to challenge the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the exercise was inconclusive, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi East Senatorial District have nominated Audu’s first son, Mohammed, to replace him as the party’ s governorship candidate in the supplementary election scheduled for December 5.
Mohammed is 43 years old.
In a letter to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Waziri, through his counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Faleke declared that it was wrong for INEC to have declared the election inconclusive, insisting that the joint ticket of Audu/Faleke won the election before Audu’s death on November 22, thus he should be declared the winner of the election.
Faleke also wrote to the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, insisting that, following Audu’s demise at Ogbonicha, Ofu Local Government, the party must declare him the governorship candidate and the winner of the election.
Faleke declared that any action contrary to his prayers would amount to an exercise in futility and all the stakeholders would have their day in court.
The Kogi East APC leaders, stakeholders and delegates made their position known in Lokoja on Thursday after a marathon meeting.
The nomination came six days after the death of Prince Audu.
The APC leaders explained that they arrived at the decision after due consultations .
Their spokesman, Mr Daniel Isah, who is the Vice Chairman of APC in Kogi East, said they have resolved and are determined to back Mohammed to replace his father if the National Working Committee (NWC) orders fresh primaries.
Isah thanked INEC and the national leadership of the party for the opportunity given to them to find a replacement for Audu on the day the result was announced.
He appealed to the national leadership of the party to give their decision utmost consideration and approval in the overall interest of the party and the state.
Present at the meeting were Alhaji Lincho Ocheje, Hon. Hassan Omale, Hon. Benjamin Ikhani, Senator Emmanuel Dangana and others.