KOGI Election: INEC Makes a U-turn, Declares Usman Ahmed Ododo (APC) as the Governor-Elect….details 

From all indications, the election polls results has confirmed Ahmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as one who has emerged winner of the Kogi State governorship election polling a total of 446,237 votes.

It was gathered that he won with a significant lead over his closest competitor, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who garnered 259,052 votes. Dino Melaye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, secured a distant third position with 46,362 votes.

However, the formal declaration by the Returning Officer, Prof. Johnson Urame, occurred at approximately 10:25 pm on Sunday night even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had initially considered declaring the election inconclusive due to electoral irregularities, particularly in Ogori Magongo local government area, where the exercise faced suspension.

At a point, INEC announced the suspension of the governorship election in certain locations where result sheets were pre-recorded before the voting commenced.

In response, INEC suggested the possibility of fresh elections on Saturday, November 18, 2023, in the affected Polling Units of nine wards in Ogori Magongo LGA. This information was conveyed in a statement issued on Sunday evening by INEC National Commissioner and member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

And the prospect of a rerun hinged on the application of the Margin of Lead Principle by the Returning Officer for the governorship election while the earlier plan for a rerun aimed overtaken by the lead of Ododo which cascaded the exercise.

But gave sufficient reason as Ododo’s leading surpasses this usual margin and that brought in the APC candidate to be duly declared as the winner and governor-elect of Kogi State.

Congratulations to the Governor-elect, Ododo Usman!