TODAY IN THE PAPERS: INEC reverses self, declares PDP winner of Kogi senatorial re-run poll

 
 INEC boss, Mahmood Yakubu

The Independent  National Electoral Commission, INEC yesterday reversed itself in Kogi  State and declared Ahmed Ogember winner of Kogi Central senatorial rerun  election earlier declared inconclusive.

  Ahmed Ogembe of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was leading with  45,468 votes,

while Senator Nurudeen Abatemi of Peoples Progressive  Alliance, PPA, pulled 31,163 and Dr. Moses Wokili of Social Democratic  Party, SDP scored 9,966 in the Saturday re-run.
  But INEC declared the Central election inconclusive following the  cancellation of 20,000 votes which affected two polling units of Otutu  ward in Okene Local Governmebt Area and Karaworo and Esuha and Inozomi  wards in Adavi LGA.  Though no reason was given by the electoral umpire, but the commission,  however, reverse itself and declared Ahmed Ogembe winner of the poll  Speaking over the event.

 Ahmed Ogembe said he was not surprise as he  knew that INEC erred in the first instance by basing their judgment on  the submission of the presiding officials for the affected wards who  have initially submitted their respective results.  He, however, stated that he will use the opportunity to represent his  people at the upper chamber of the National Assembly to fight for the  interest of his people and see how Ajaokuta Steel company located in the  senatorial district is revived.  

Ogembe also said his victory have shown that his party, PDP, has  rebounded in the state.