The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun Wednesday said the party may have to replace its Deputy-Governor Elect for Kogi State, Hon. James Faleke should he fail to present himself for swearing-in on January 27, 2016.
Odigie-Oyegun, however, said that all efforts were being made to placate aggrieved parties in the election that produced Alhaji Yayaha Bello before the day of inauguration.
His declaration followed Faleke’s statement on Monday that he would not be available for swearing-in with Bello if all matters relating to the elections were not resolved before the day.
Faleke, who was running mate to the former APC governorship candidate, the late Abubakar Audu had craved to be declared winner of the election having run on a joint ticket with Audu.
Ignored by the party, Faleke approached the court, contending the rationale behind the substitution made with Bello as the governorship candidate in the December 5 supplementary polls that the party won.
Also, before the election, he had rejected nomination as running mate to Bello, vowing to contest it in court.
But fielding questions from journalists on some topical issues in APC and in the polity at large, Odigie-Oyegun stated that no one is irreplaceable, adding however that the party was still talking with all concerned individuals with a view to amicably resolve the impasse.
Asked whether Faleke would be sanctioned by the party for declaring himself a candidate, Odigie-Oyegun said the party was looking into the matter.
He said: “On the Faleke issue, it is rather a straightforward and easy issue. We have replaced a governorship candidate. If the need arises and subject to what the law says, we will also get a deputy governorship candidate. We will cross those bridges as they arise; but they have not arisen yet.
“We are not worried, the Kogi situation is still evolving and we will cross every bridge as we get to it. We’ll wait and see who does what and work out answers that meet each situation.
“We have thought the process through and we have won the election in Kogi. For us in APC, Kogi is a settled issue. If you want to go to the tribunal, we’ll meet you there; if you want to go to court, we’ll meet you there.
“Kogi is basically resolved, thank God in favour of APC: very unfortunate, very tragic events occurred. The entire polity had to find solutions to problems which details the Constitution did not envisage and the in the next few weeks, depending on who goes to court or who doesn’t, we will know the boundaries of the law in respect of these issues.”
On Bayelsa polls
Also speaking on Bayelsa governorship election that was declared inconclusive by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC chairman said it was worrisome that elections were cancelled in Southern Ijaw, which he referred to as the stronghold of the party.
“For Bayelsa State, we cannot but express our disappointment that things have gone the way they did. We are unhappy that the results from the most populous voting areas which is a stronghold of APC had to be cancelled and rendered the elections inconclusive.
“All one can say at this stage is, pronouncements have been made; as a party we will be patient, we will give the benefit of the doubt, will go on to whenever the re-run for southern Ijaw is slated.”
Also reacting to the statement credited to the Transition Monitoring Group that the election in Bayelsa did not meet required standard, Odigie-Oyegun said the party would take a stand when the process is concluded.
He said: “On Bayelsa and TMG’s position, I’ll say we are far from being satisfied (with the conduct of the poll), but INEC has made a pronouncement and you can’t get them to take it back unless you go to court. So we are waiting for the processes to be concluded.”
On removal of oil subsidy
Also lending his voice on the removal of oil subsidy against the backdrop that it was not captured in the 2016 budget, Odigie-Oyegun stated that the trend would have to stop with time when government has put palliatives in place.
This was even as he restated the commitment of APC-led Federal government to pay the N5,000 stipend it promised to vulnerable and unemployed Nigerians.
“We do not know what is in the budget. So what is covered or what it does not cover, we do not know because it is still in various stages of construction.
“Whether subsidy goes or stays is an intricate and major issue. If it has to go, the government must have to construct the palliatives to cushion the effect of the hardships that may come on the ordinary Nigerian.”
-Vanguard