Faleke, in an interview on Saturday, faulted the decision of the APC to pick Bello as a replacement for Audu.
He also claimed that Mohammed Audu is one of his main backers in his quest to assume the office of governor of the state.
There have been calls by some political groups for Mohammed Audu to replace his father as the APC’s candidate for the December 5 supplementary election fixed by INEC.
On Thursday, Faleke, who is against the supplementary poll, had in separate letters to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, demanded to be declared as the governor-elect for the state.
The letters were written on his behalf by his lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN).
Asked specifically whether or not he would support Mohammed to replace his father, Faleke expressed surprise that such an idea was muted in the first place.
He stated that Audu’s son could not replace his father because he (Faleke) and Mohammed were already working together on the demand that INEC should declare Faleke the governor-elect.
He also criticised his party’s decision for agreeing to be part of the upcoming supplementary election by choosing Bello “when the APC has already won clearly.”
Faleke spoke further, “Audu’s son is with me, so what are they talking about? You have also seen what the party did. What the party did and the clamour for my late boss’ son to succeed him are not in line with the law; so none of that will stand.
“And regarding my late boss’ son, we are working together. He is with me on this issue. I have given my final stance on this issue and there is no going back. INEC should declare me as the winner of the governorship election. That is where we stand.”
Also, Head of Media, Abubakar Audu/James Faleke Campaign Organisation, Dr. Tom Ohikere, warned the leadership of the APC not to take any action capable of plunging Kogi into crisis.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Ohikere, who gave the warning in Lokoja on Saturday, advised Odigie-Oyegun not to allow any selfish interest to ruin the party.
He also warned the APC leadership not to misrepresent the party as an Islamic organisation, saying the APC was founded for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe and religion.
He described the decision to replace Audu with Bello, who came second in the primary, as “illegal and moral burden” on Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the National Working Committee.
Ohikere also described the comments made by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, on how to find replacement for the late Audu as “pure script reading.”
“I do not agree with the AGF on his position regarding the nomination of another candidate by the APC.
“I however agree that supplementary election can be conducted by INEC. Surprisingly, all these arguments seem to have overlooked the provisions of Section 187 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended,’’ he said.
He said Faleke was an associate candidate in the governorship election and should be allowed constitutionally to become the party’s candidate.
“Faleke was not just a candidate of the APC in that election, but has acquired vested rights in the results declared to simply nominate a running mate who will conclude the process along with him,” he said.
Ohikere advised the Minister of Justice and the national leadership of the party to suspend their on going move to undermine the provisions of the law on selfish grounds for the sake of peace and unity of the state.
Tags
Politics