The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday for declaring the state’s governorship election inconclusive. The party argued that INEC erred in its decision, insisting that its candidate, Dr. Nasir Idris, should have been declared the winner after the first ballot. Alhaji Abubakar Gari, Deputy Director‑General of the APC Governorship Campaign Council in Kebbi and a retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs, voiced his opposition to the ruling in Abuja.
According to INEC Returning Officer Prof. Yusuf Sa’idu, the election was declared inconclusive because of massive vote cancellations and over‑voting in 20 of the 21 local government areas. He reported that the APC candidate obtained 388,358 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mohammed Bande, received 342,980 votes. Sa’idu explained that the total number of collected PVCs in the affected polling units was 91,829, and the margin between the two leading parties was 45,278 votes—less than the number of cancelled votes—necessitating a re‑run.
Gari rejected this assessment, maintaining that the APC candidate had won fairly and squarely. “Our candidate is leading by 45,278 votes. In some states, winners were declared even when the margin was a fraction of that. There is no need for a supplementary election,” he said. He blamed the PDP for the violence and over‑voting that led to the cancellations, noting that the affected areas were APC strongholds. “Despite the PDP’s machinations, we remain comfortably ahead. Even if a supplementary election is held, we are confident our margin will increase because the cancelled polls are in our strongholds,” Gari added.
The APC urged INEC to promptly declare Dr. Nasir Idris the winner so that the people of Kebbi State, like those in other states, can have peace of mind and resume their normal lives.
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