Kogi Governorship Election: Controversial Former Governor Audu Projected Winner

Former Governor Abubakar Audu of Kogi State has won the tightly contested governorship election in the state, according unofficial results obtained by SaharaReporters. A controversial figure, Mr. Audu is currently undergoing trial on charges of embezzling billions of naira from the state’s funds during his first run from 2003 to 2007.

 

Mr. Audu, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is projected to have defeated the incumbent governor, Captain Idris Wada (ret.), of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The unofficial results show that Mr. Audu is leading in a majority of the state’s 21 local governments, including edging Mr. Wada in several local government areas considered the incumbent governor’s stronghold.

In 2007, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed corruption charges against Mr. Audu shortly after his tenure ended.
Many political pundits criticized the choice of the two major parties to field candidates tainted by allegations of corruption, in the case of Mr. Audu, and poor performance, in the case of Mr. Wada.
Mr. Wada’s camp has expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the election, alleging massive irregularities.
 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will announce the official results shortly