Taraba Sai Kefas: Bwacha, Baido, Others Congratulate Agbu Kefas, NNPP Candidate Heads To Court

It was a historic moment when the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the People's Democratic Party PDP governorship candidate Col Kefas Agbu (Rtd)  as winner of the just concluded gubernatorial elections conducted in Taraba State.

 

Agbu pulled a total of two hundred and fifty seven million, nine hundred and twenty six ( 257926) votes to defeat his two closest rivals, Professor Sani Yahaya of New Nigeria People's Party, NNPP who pulled two hundred and two million, two hundred and seventy seven (202,277) votes and Senator Emmanuel Bwacha of APC who pulled one hundred and forty two million, five hundred and twenty seven (142,527) Votes.

 

Declaring the results at the Taraba State INEC office in Jalingo, the returning officer, Professor Muhammed Ahmed Abdulazee stated that the total number of registered voters for the election in the state was 2022374 while total number of PVCs collected was 663998

 

He further revealed that the total number of accredited voters stood at 663998 while the total votes cast at the election was 660491.

 

He stated that Col. Agbu Kefas (Rtd) having satisfied all the requirements of the law and fulfilled all the conditions of the electoral process "is hereby declared winner of the 2023 gubernatorial election and returned elected".

 

Reacting to his victory shortly after the declaration was made, Col. Agbu Kefas stated that the result of the election was a demonstration that Tarabans needed a leader who will continue with Governor Ishaku's good work in the interest of the state.

 

He said his victory was for all the people of the state and urged the people to patiently keep trust in his administration as it would definitely deliver on its campaign promises.

 

Col. Agbu called on those who lost out at the poll to join hands with his led administration by bringing up all their positive imputs to enable the administration actualize the dream of a new Taraba.

 

In his remark, the incumbent Governor of the state, His Excellency, Darius Dickson Ishaku commended the peaceful conduct of the elections in the State and expressed hope that his successor would consolidate on his achievements.

 

NNPP Candidate Heads To Court

 

The governorship candidate of New Nigerian People's Party (NNPP) in Taraba state Prof Sani Yahaya has rejected the results of the election in the state.

The NNPP candidate came second with 202,277 votes while Kefas Agbu of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner having scored 257,926 votes.

 

Speaking with journalists, Yahya said the declaration of a candidate as the winner was not the end of the election

 

The NNPP candidate said the outcome of the election would be challenged in court.

 

Yahaya said the election process had clear cases of electoral malpractice, insisting that he was the rightly elected governor of Taraba.

 

"Yesterday's announcement and declaration of a candidate does not mean an end to the election process," he said.

 

"The process continues in line with the guidelines. Taraba is used to enduring injustice by writing fictitious results. Luckily, the electoral act as amended has made provisions for all results to be reviewed.

 

"We are confident that the victory is ours. We would challenge the result through every legal means and claim our victory.

 

"Our victory is certain and we would retain it. I call on Taraba people to stay calm. We would challenge the results because I am the duly elected governor of Taraba state.

 

"That mandate cannot be stolen. We have initiated the process and we are on course."

 

 

The NNPP candidate urged his  supporters to be calm and law abiding citizens re-assuring that he may do all he can and within the ambit of the law to reclaim his stolen mandate.