The INEC Returning Officer for the Governorship election in Kebbi, Prof. Yusuf Saidu-Usman of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, has declared the March 18 election inclusive in the state.
Saisu-Usman, made the declaration while making final announcement of the result at the INEC Headquarters collation center in , Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
He noted that the polling units where votes were cancelled were higher, saying about 91, 829 votes were cancelled in 20 LGAs out of 21 LGAs of the state.
“sections 51 (2) (3) of the Electoral Act page 35 of 2022 states that when the number of cancelled votes are higher than the votes gathered by candidates,the Electoral Officer shall have the power to order the elections inconclusive.
“Based of this, by the power confers on me as the Returning of the Kebbi State Governorship election, I hereby declare this gubernatorial election inconclusive,” he said.
Earlier, he announced that the APC governorship candidate, Dr Nasir Idris, polled 388,258,while the PDP candidate, Gen. Aminu Bande polled 342,980.
He explained that total registered voters stood at 2,032041, with a total of 766, 367 accredited voters.
Saidu-Usman said,” The total valid votes are 742, 234 with a total of 28,204 rejected votes and a total 760,438 votes cast.”