Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the outcome of the Bagwai/Shanono Constituency by-election, citing widespread violence and electoral malpractices.
Addressing journalists in Kano, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, described the exercise as a “charade,” alleging that the election was marred by thuggery, ballot snatching, and vote manipulation.
The minister accused the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of violating the peace accord signed by political parties before the poll, claiming its supporters hijacked ballot papers and result sheets, stuffed boxes, and allocated votes in their favour without the participation of genuine voters.
“No credible election took place in Bagwai/Shanono,” Ata declared.
“The people, who have been waiting patiently for this by-election since the death of their representative, Hon. Halilu Ibrahim Kundila in April last year, were disenfranchised, traumatised, and in some cases chased away from their homes,” he said.
He urged INEC to immediately fix a new date for a fresh, free, and transparent election in the constituency.
Ata further alleged that on election day, thousands of armed thugs, some allegedly recruited from neighbouring states, invaded Shanono and Bagwai.
“We call on security agencies to prosecute all those arrested in connection with this violence,” he added, appealing to APC supporters across the state to remain calm and law-abiding.
“The foundation of democracy is the right of citizens to vote freely and safely for candidates of their choice,” Ata stressed.
The Kano State House of Assembly by-election held on Saturday ended with both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) recording victories.
The ruling NNPP in the state recorded victory in the Bagwai/Shanono State Assembly rerun, while the APC secured victory in the Ghari/Tsanyawa constituency by-election.
Recall that the Police had earlier confirmed the arrest over 200 suspected political thugs for their alleged involvement in elections irregularities in Bagwai/Shanono.
Confidence Okwuchi