All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the by-election in Shanono/Bagwai state constituency and the rerun in Ghari constituency of Kano State.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement on Saturday, Felix Morka, APC’s national publicity secretary, alleged that the exercise was marred by extreme violence and disruption caused by armed gangs at several polling units.
He said reports from Shanono, Bagwai, and Ghari indicated that voters abandoned polling areas as security personnel battled to restore order.
The secretary said, “ Verifiable reports from the Shanono and Bagwai local government areas and the Ghari constituency show voters fleeing polling areas, with deployed security personnel overwhelmed by the violence, making the prospects of a credible election impossible.”
He further warned, “ Proceeding with the Shanono/Bagwai Kano state constituency by-election and the Ghari rerun in an atmosphere of utter brigandage and outright violent voter intimidation will be against the democratic dictates of free, fair and peaceful elections and will set a dangerous precedent for an undesirable and unacceptable electoral heist.”
Earlier in the day, Audu Zango, Kano’s resident electoral commissioner (REC), confirmed that more than 100 suspected political thugs had been arrested in connection with the Bagwai by-election, adding that they would face prosecution under electoral laws.
He said, “More than 100 political thugs have been arrested, adding that the police have confirmed this, the process is continuing, and you have seen for yourself,”
