The Network of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) erred by transferring the votes of late Prince Abubakar Audu to the governor-elect of the Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The CSOs also told the party not to threaten Hon. James Faleke over his stand on the last governorship election in Kogi state.
Faleke was the deputy governorship candidate to late Prince Abubakar Audu, who died shortly before the results of the elections were announced.
Since the death of Audu, Hon. Faleke had remained adamant, insisting that he should be declared winner of the election.
But last week, the chairman of the party, Chief Odigie Oyegun told journalists in Abuja that Faleke was not indispensable.
The CSOs, in a statement signed by its National Co-ordinator, Comrade Victor Kalu appealed to President Mohammadu Buhari to prevail on the leadership of the party to allow sense of reasoning prevail.
“Why would the election victory which Faleke worked for be transferred to another whose selfish interest drove him to anti-party activities after he failed in the party primaries?”, Kalu queried.
He further said, “The All Progressives Congress had erred by transferring the vote of a man who worked for the party victory; and who participated keenly in the electoral process- winning votes for the party on the account of standing election as Deputy Governor to another who did not participate in any capacity except having failed in the party primaries?
“How would the party leadership explain this to its teeming population of followers and fans who had voted for the party because they saw Hon. Faleke’s posters? This is nothing short of injustice and betrayal!
“We appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to use his good offices to guarantee Hon. James Faleke’s right to exercise legal option in the matter under reference; and also stop the APC leadership from further intimidation and threats on the gentle man”, he said.
Credit: Leadership
