The death of Prince Abubakar Audu during the 2015 Kogi State governorship election created an unprecedented constitutional and political dilemma. Having already secured the majority of votes cast, the APC was suddenly faced with the challenge of completing an election without its governorship candidate.
Many legal and political observers argued at the time that, since the election had already been declared inconclusive by INEC, the fairest course of action would have been to allow the APC either to conduct a fresh primary to produce a replacement candidate or to recognize James Faleke, Audu’s running mate, as the beneficiary of the mandate already given to the joint ticket by the electorate. Instead, the party nominated Yahaya Bello to complete the election—a decision that has remained one of the most debated episodes in Kogi’s political history.
Whether one agrees with that outcome or not, one fact is difficult to ignore: the Okun people believe they lost an opportunity to occupy the governorship through circumstances beyond their control. That perception has endured for more than a decade and continues to influence political discussions across the state.
As the 2027 elections approach, the APC has an opportunity to address that lingering sense of exclusion. Supporting an Okun candidate would not be an act of charity or political compensation. It would be a strategic decision capable of strengthening party unity, reinforcing confidence in the APC’s commitment to fairness, and demonstrating that every component of Kogi State has a genuine opportunity to lead.
President Bola Tinubu, as the national leader of the APC and a central figure in the party’s growth, is uniquely positioned to encourage such reconciliation. Leadership is often measured not only by winning elections but also by resolving long-standing grievances in ways that promote stability and unity.
Justice in politics is not merely about correcting the past; it is about building trust for the future. A broad consensus behind an Okun governorship in 2027 would send a powerful message that the APC values equity, rewards loyalty, and is committed to ensuring that no section of Kogi State feels permanently marginalized.
The 2027 governorship election therefore represents more than a contest for political power. It offers an opportunity to strengthen the bonds among the three senatorial districts, deepen confidence in democratic institutions, and close a chapter that many believe has remained unfinished since 2015.
Hon Alh Haliru Alih Abdul former SA to captain Wada on MDG wrote from Abuja.
