The Chairman of Kaduna State’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Felix Hassan Hyat, has sounded the alarm on alleged plans by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to engage in undemocratic activities aimed at rigging upcoming rerun elections across seven local government areas.
The by-election is scheduled to take place in Kaduna South, Chikun, Kauru, Igabi, Kudan, Kachia, and Kagarko local government areas. The PDP expressed concerns that the APC is allegedly colluding with corrupt officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to manipulate the election results in favor of the APC candidates.
According to a statement from the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the chairman, Edward John Auta, the PDP claims to have reliable information that the APC plans to engage in vote-buying and mayhem through the use of thugs if their initial attempts at vote-buying fail.
The PDP expressed confidence in the newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner to conduct a credible election but alleged that the APC is working with corrupt INEC staff to obtain fake polling unit results that will be swapped with genuine ones in areas where the APC is not leading or is uncomfortable with the margin of victory, with the support of the security agencies.
The party further alleged that in Makera, Igabi, and Kauru, the sacked speaker and senior government officials are involved in an attempt to manipulate the election.
The PDP called on the commissioner of police and other relevant security agency heads to ensure their officers remain professional, patriotic, and impartial during the election. Additionally, the party urged INEC to instruct its staff to exercise restraint and avoid any manipulation that may further damage the commission’s reputation.
