INEC declares Kebbi governorship election inconclusive

At Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the gubernatorial election in Kebbi State as “uncertain”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election was fiercely contested by two giant political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The election and election organizer, Yusuf Sa’idu, a professor at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, announced the position at a gathering center located at the INEC headquarters in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

He said there was cancellation of results in different polling units in Registration Areas (RA) in 20 out of 21 local government areas in Kebbi State.

Mr. Sa’idu said: “We collected the number of PVCs collected in the polling unit and it was 91,829.

“And when we check the results, the two main political parties in this contest, APC and PDP, polled 388,258 and 342,980 votes respectively. When we look at the difference, it is 45,278.

He noted that he had no other option but to refer to section 51(2) and (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 for guidance.

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He read the provision saying: “If the number of votes cast in an election in a polling unit exceeds the number of accredited voters in that polling unit, the presiding officer shall cancel the election results in that polling unit.
“Sub-section three of section 51 also states that if the results of an election are annulled under sub-section two, there shall be no return for the election until another poll has been conducted in the affected polling unit.”

He added: “According to this provision and the power vested in me as a collective and returning officer of the 2023 gubernatorial election in Kebbi State, I, Prof. Yusuf Sa’idu of Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, hereby declare the gubernatorial election in Kebbi State inconclusive.

(IN)