By Bashir Bello and Abdulmumin Murtala
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Aftermath of Saturday’s re-run election in Kano, the former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation and All Progressive Congress, APC candidate, Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa said his mandate was stolen but he has accepted defeat.
Kofa contested for the seat of Kiru/Bebeji Federal constituency and lost to his opponent from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Aliyu Datti Yako.
The former Chairman while speaking to newsmen in the state after the election results were declared by INEC on Sunday, maintained that forces were applied to deny his supporters the chance to exercise their voting franchise.
“My constituents came out en mass to exercise their civic responsibility but were denied their franchise to vote the candidate and party of their choice through the application of maximum force in all the wards of our constituency except my home town of Kofa, Bebeji that proved impenetrable. We know we won the election fairly and squarely but our mandate was stolen.
“In many units, elections never took place. The ballot boxes were diverted but scores were miraculously entered. The violence, thuggery and rigging that took place have been carefully documented, at least for posterity. I have strong reservations about the outcome of the elections.
“However, INEC has announced my opponent as the winner of the election.
“Police, other security agencies and voters can bear witness to the fact that the electoral umpire announced the result not because my opponent had scored the majority of lawful votes. I am sure those of them saddled with the responsibility of ensuring a free and fair election but aided and abated this grave injustice against our people will be eternally trailed by the guilt of their conscience and await the ultimate judgement of God,” Kofa declared.
He added that, “I have therefore accepted the outcome of the elections and wish to congratulate my opponent Aliyu Datti Ahmed who will continue from where I started about a decade ago and has now come to an end.
“I look forward to working closely with him and giving him whatever cooperation and assistance to settle down in his new role of representing our people. I do not intend to file a petition against his declaration as the winner. It is time to move on.”
He also promised to continue to support the APC, “I will continue to support the progress and development of my party, the APC both at the national and state levels and my constituency and constituents in my personal capacity as I have always done before I became an elected Representative nine years ago,” Kofa said.
Culled from Vanguard
