There are strong indications that sequel to the sacking of the Kogi state Governor, Ibrahim Idris by an election tribunal, two of his colleagues Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state,(PDP) and Muritala Nyako of Adamawa(PDP) could be next in line to be jobless.

 

The tribunal had voided Idris' election on the grounds that the INEC had no right to bar Ex Gov. Audu of the ANPP, from last Gubernatorial election.

 

Although in Delta, the Action Congress (AC), gubernatorial candidate in the last election, Peter Okocha, recently had his case thrown out at the tribunal, his counsel, Olisa agbakoba is already challenging the decision at the Appeal court.

 

Okocha, just like Audu, had been excluded from the polls by INEC at the last minute.Even though his name was on the ballot paers, INEC officials crossed it out with a pen.The AC candidate in Adamawa, Ibrahim Bapatel, was also excluded by INEC 24 hours before the elction. On his part, despite assurances from INEC's spekeswoman, Rifikatu Duku, Bapatel was not allowed to contest.

 

In striking out okocha's petition, the tribunal ruled that the AC candidate lacked the locus standi to institute the action, since he was not a participant in the April 14 elections.

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According to the electoral commission, " the averments in the petition show that the first petitioner, (Okocha), was not a candidate, and the second petitioner(AC), did not participate in the governorship elections held on April 14, 2007"

 

Some political pundits who spoke with our corresspondent said, other things being equal Uduaghan and Nyako would be removed on appeal and tribunal respectively.According to them, the supreme court had also declared that such exclusion by INEC was illegal in case of Ex VP Abubaka Atiku.

According to Falana" By implication, many other governors parading themselves now as governors are going to fall by the wayside at the appropriate time"