PDP kicks, rejects Kiru Bebeji Fed Constituency result as INEC declares Jibril winner

There was a mild drama at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters in Kano on Wednesday as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) agent attempted destroying the returning sheet for Bebeji/Kiru Federal Constituency of Kano State during the presentation of result which declared Abdulmumini Jibril Kofa winner.

The Administrative Secretary of the Commission, Jibril Musa stated that the result was delayed as the Commission’s Electoral Officers could not carry out the collation exercise at Bebeji due to political clash between the PDP and APC supporters at kofa prior to the election.

According to him, shortly after the election, persons suspected to be political thugs surrounded electoral officers at the village and threatened their lives but were eventually rescued by security operatives and subsequent attempts to carry out the collation at the Constituency proved abortive as security reports indicated possibility of more attacks hence, the decision to carry out the collation and announcement at the head quarters.

Musa revealed that arrangements for the forthcoming gubernatorial and state House of Assemblies election are almost concluded, that the commission is fully prepared for the election slated for 9th of February 2019.

Announcing the winner, the returning Officer for Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency, Prof. Bello Tijjani declared that the APC Candidate, Jibril Kofa scored a total vote of 41,070 while Ali Datti Yako of PDP scored 40,385 making Jibril Kofa the winner of the election.

The returning Officer of the PDP, Bashir Iliyasu rejected the results on the grounds that, results from 6 polling units in the Constituency with over 700, voters was cancelled by INEC, a number which he said is enough to cover the gap between the two parties.

Iliyasu, who pounced on the INEC officials in an attempt to destroy the result sheet, was barricaded before he could succeed.

He said that, his party rejects the results and will challenge it in court at the appropriate time