Usman Ahmed Ododo, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is currently leading other candidates as the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has officially announced the November 11 governorship election results from 18 out of 21 local government areas of Kogi State on Sunday.
From the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) results declared, Ododo of the APC is currently leading with 417,166, followed by Muritala Ajaka of Social Democratic Party (SDP) with 208,503 while Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trails behind with 41,924 votes .
The LGAs in Kogi State where election results had been collated and declared included Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Idah, Ijumu, Kabba-Bunu, Kogi, Mopamuro, Ofu, Okehi, Okene, Olamaboro, Omala, Yagba East and Yagba West, while the results from only one ward in Ogori Magongo LGA was received and announced.
The APC candidate has won in 12 LGAs out of the 18 declared namely; Adavi, Ajaokuta, Bassa, Ijumu, Kabba-Bunu, Kogi, Mopamuro, Ogori Magongo, Okehi Okene, Yagba East, and Yagba West, while the SDP candidate won in Ankpa, Idah, Dekina, Ofu, Olamaboro and Omala LGAs.
According to Ibrahim Itodo, the former chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), a political analyst, and an observer of the election results collation at the center in Kogi State, he stated, “There is a significant adherence to election laws guiding the process. While challenges like over-voting are speculated, it is the responsibility of those concerned to provide evidence. Elections are determined by facts, not emotions; if dissatisfied with the result, the appropriate recourse is the court, where every detail will be scrutinized.”
He further emphasised, “The election has been free and fair, acknowledging that challenges are inherent in any election. To maintain peace after the election, there are proper channels to address disputes.”
Mohammed Dagana, the party agent for Boot Party, also shared his thoughts with BusinessDay on the election outcome, stating, “Since the inception of democracy in Nigeria and all the times we’ve voted in Kogi State, this is the first smooth and direct election I have witnessed. In any election, there will be disagreements, but the winner is left to God. That’s why we have accepted the results as announced. Although we did our best, not everyone can win. Since the APC emerged victorious, we will collaborate because the APC belongs to all of us.”
The outstanding results from Ibaji, Lokoja and Igalamela-Odolu local government areas of the State will be announced once the collation centre reconvene by 7pm for the conclusion of the exercise on Sunday.
Also, BusinessDay observed that residents of the Confluence states are actively engaged in economic activities while awaiting declaration of the winner.
Post-election Kogi state in pictures (Post office area):
pic by David Ijaseun
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