The Kaduna State Local Government Area [LGA] elections held over the weekend of December 1, 2012 – which saw the Congress for Progressive Change [CPC] sweep the election against its chief opponent, the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] – also saw the victory of a PDP candidate, Kawu Ibrahim Yakassai, at the Sabo LGA located within the Kaduna metropolis but domiciled within the Kaduna north senatorial district – under the Zaria Emirate. Yakassai defeated his closest rival – the CPC candidate, Hassan Abdullahi by 62,170 to 20,143.
However a twist appears over the landslide victory – as the winner has gone underground into hiding – following the issuance of a bench warrant by a magistrate on Thursday November 29, 2012 – two days before the election. The warrant was issued following the failure of Yankassai to appear before the magistrate court – following allegations of certificate forgery filed at the court. He was not in the court to defend himself after several court adjournments.
Also, sources in Kaduna indicate that agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] are reportedly investigating Yankassai – who was formerly employed at the Accounts Department of the LGA. The extent of the investigation is not certain.
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Some of the political watchers in Kaduna point to the treatment meted to Yakassai as witch-hunting against the PDP.
