Kano by-election: APC, PDP allege malpractices, intimidation of voters

By Aminu Garko

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP have alleged that Saturday’s by-elections for Ghari/Takai and Bagwai/Shanono Constituencies were marred by irregularities.

Kano Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas and his PDP counterpart, Alhaji Yusuf Kibiya, said this while reacting to the conduct of the election.

Abbas, in a telephone interview said the elections were not free and fair, citing issues such as voter intimidation.

He said that the party’s supporters were being chased away from their homes to enable the opposition to thumb-print ballot papers.

He claimed thugs were seen in most polling units intimidating the remaining APC supporters who refused to leave.

He said, “Election materials were yet to arrive at most polling units in the affected local government areas by around 11 a.m.”

Abbas faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for lack of transparency and urged it to address these lapses to ensure the elections reflect the will of the people.

“This is not an election,” he emphasised.

Also, the PDP Chairman said the party will reject the outcome of the Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa state constituencies by-run elections, citing widespread irregularities and violence.

The party claims the electoral process was marred by thuggery, with political thugs intimidating eligible voters, rendering the exercise ridiculous.

Kibiya, who stated this while addressing newsmen on Saturday in Kano, described the process as “totally devoid of all democratic processes”.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing ground for all parties, emphasising that the current state of affairs undermines the integrity of the electoral process.

Kibiya explained that the entire process was “totally devoid of all democratic processes”.

He called on security agencies to protect voters, uphold peaceful assembly, and deter intimidation and violence.

The chairman advised the Kano State Government and national leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetorics and actions, and urged them promote transparent and peaceful electoral process.

He also called on relevant authorities to investigate electoral law breaches and sanction offenders accordingly to prevent future misconduct.

However, the Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, stated that eligible party supporters conducted themselves peacefully during by-election in the affected local government areas.

He explained that none of the party’s supporters carried any form of weapon in all the designated polling units.

The chairman maintained, “We are law-abiding party members ready to exercise our civil responsibility.”

Mr Abdu Zango, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Kano, stated that the commission had provided all the necessary electoral materials needed for the conduct of the election in all the affected local government areas and polling units.

He assured that every polling unit had been provided with electoral materials.

He, However, acknowledged some delays due to transportation issues and thuggery, which were mitigated by the security agencies.

The Nigeria Police on Saturday announced the arrest of 288 suspected thugs during the by- elections for Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency and Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency.

The Commissioner of Police in Kano, Ibrahim Bakori, disclosed this to newsmen in the Shanono Local Government Area of the state.

( NAN)