ACN: Kwara bye-election marred by violence

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has rejected the conduct of the Saturday re-run election in Ilorin North-West State Constituency. 

Mr Kayode Aiyelabegan, the ACN candidate for the election, said in a statement made available to newsmen in Ilorin on Saturday that the party rejected whatever may be the outcome of the election. He alleged that the exercise was marred with violence and thuggery, adding that voters and ACN agents were intimidated with guns.“The election was riddled with mindless disregard for law and order from the beginning to the end, it was chaotic.“There were gun shots at Ile Onimago, Mount Camel, Ita Kudimo, Ode Isowo, Pakata Primary School, Ode Alfa Iwo, Ode Balogun Alanamu, Ikawanu Primary School,’’ he said. 

He alleged that at Alanamu ward, and Ode Isowo, the ACN party elder, Alhaji Koobe was beaten to a pulp and the agent of the party was assaulted. 

However, the PDP in a swift reaction dismissed the ACN allegations, pointing out that the election was free and fair.The Party Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Masud Adebimpe, said the impressive turn-out of people for the election confirmed the confidence the people had in the party.He explained that all the allegations of the ACN were a mere attempt to misinform the people and discredit the election, saying no violence was recorded anywhere.“The PDP wish to assure the people of the state that the PDP government will continue to deliver its campaign promises,” he said. Meanwhile, the result of the election was still being collated from the 60 polling units in the constituency by INEC officials at the time of filling this report.