Natasha Akpoti petitions INEC, rejects Kogi Central senatorial election result
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the Kogi Central senatorial poll held on February 25, has rejected the election outcome.
In a petition dated March 1, 2023, addressed to INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan asked the electoral umpire to review the results of the hotly contested senatorial district election that saw Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the All Progressives Congress win the election.
The PDP candidate alleged that thugs manipulated the process, doctored figures, cancelled polling units where she won, and invaded many polling units.
She also claimed in the petition that thugs chased away voters and snatched ballot boxes, which were eventually thumb-printed in a private residence, during the voting process in Okene council, which was highly manipulated in collaboration with electoral officials.
Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan also claimed that the INEC incorrectly entered voting figures during the election, awarding votes intended for the PDP to the APC, receiving 933 votes in error.
“In the said election, Engr Abubakar Sadiku Ohere, the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), was wrongly returned with 52,132 votes and declared the winner of the election in the senatorial district while our client was wrongly credited with 51,763 votes,” stated the petition.
It added, “What ought to have been recorded for APC is only 202 votes and the excess manipulative, and fictitious 933 votes would not have formed part of the election results in the polling units while PDP would have earned 1,073 as against the 77 votes recorded for our client’s favour.”
The petition mentioned that she would have won the election if the total votes had been accurately recorded and inputted.
On Tuesday, Mr Sadiku-Ohere of the APC was declared the winner of the Kogi Central senatorial race, defeating Ms Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Rotimi Ajayi, the INEC returning officer for Kogi Central, announced the results in Okene, stating that Mr Sadiku-Ohere got 52,132 votes to Natasha’s 51,763 votes to win the senatorial seat, a difference of 369 votes.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
Kano govt warns mining firms against abandoning sites without reclamation
The Kano government has warned mining companies operating in the state not to abandon mining sites without carrying out mandatory environmental reclamation measures.
Politics
Cross River PDP ratifies Bullem as chairman, endorses Wike’s coalition
PDP in Cross River has ratified Francis Bullem as its substantive chairman and endorsed the Rainbow Coalition led by Nyesom Wike.
Politics
Gov Buni’s achievements make APC’s 2027 campaign easier: Commissioner
Kaigama Umar, Yobe’s commissioner for commerce, industry and tourism, says Governor Mai Buni’s developmental achievements will shape the party’s election campaign.
Rights
LASCOPA resolves 10,720 complaints, secures N759 million redress
LASCOPA says it has secured ₦759.35 million in consumer redress and resolved 10,720 complaints in six years.
Africa
South Africa extend AACT lead as Kenya’s Muthomi tops individual standings
The defending champions returned a combined score of 309 after 36 holes on Thursday to maintain their lead in the week-long championship.
Showbiz
Shettima challenges Nigerians, other Africans to monetise creative power
According to the vice-president, Nigeria’s hosting of CANEX Weekend for the first time recognises the country’s growing influence in the creative economy.
