By Emmanuel Kwada
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the immediate cancellation of the bye-election in Shanono/Bagwai Constituency and the rerun election in Ghari Constituency, Kano State, alleging widespread violence and disruption that rendered the electoral process untenable.
In a statement released on Saturday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka detailed reports of “extreme violence and disruption by armed thugs” across multiple polling units in the affected areas. According to Morka, voters in Shanono and Bagwai Local Government Areas, as well as Ghari Constituency, were forced to flee polling stations as security personnel struggled to contain the chaos.
“Verifiable reports indicate that voters were subjected to outright intimidation, with deployed security forces overwhelmed, making a credible election impossible,” Morka stated. He warned that allowing the elections to proceed under such conditions would endorse electoral violence and erode the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
Verifiable reports indicate that voters were subjected to outright intimidation, with deployed security forces overwhelmed, making a credible election impossible
The APC argued that continuing the elections amidst what it described as “utter brigandage” would set a dangerous precedent for electoral malfeasance. The party urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel both the bye-election and rerun to “protect the sanctity of the ballot” and uphold democratic principles.
As of press time, INEC has yet to respond to the APC’s demands. The situation remains tense in Kano, with stakeholders awaiting the electoral body’s decision on the contentious polls.
