Faleke Absent At Event As Kogi Governor-elect, Bello Gets Certificate Of Return

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday presented Alhaji Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the certificate of return as the duly elected governor of Kogi State.

The certificate of return was presented to Bello by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmud, at exactly 4:00pm, at the commission’s office in Lokoja.

Represented by INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Anthonia Okoosi-Simbine, the commission chairman said the exercise followed the conclusion of the governorship election and in accordance with section 75(2) of the Electoral Act (as amended).

The section, Prof. Mahmud said, prescribed for the issuance of certificate of return to the winning candidate of a political party in a governorship election within seven days of the election conclusion.

The deputy governor-elect, Hon. Abiodun Faleke, was conspicuously absent at the event.