The Kaduna State chapter of the Middle Belt Forum has issued a statement rejecting the results of the council elections held on October 19. According to the forum, the results announced by KADSIECOM chairperson, Hajiya Hajara Mohammed, are an “annoying charade” and an insult to the collective intelligence of the people.
The rejection comes after the forum’s state chairman, Luka Binniyat, alleged that the elections did not hold in 12 LGAs of the Middle Belt in Kaduna State. Binniyat stated that election materials arrived late and came without results sheets, causing the electorates to become suspicious and refusing to vote.
“We have viewed documents on social media purported to be KAD-SIECOM results sheets, apportioning votes to candidates of political parties, when clearly no such results were collated at the polls,” Binniyat said.
The chairman also called on Governor Uba Sani to intervene in the matter, saying that as the father of the state, he should do the needful and make an urgent intervention. “We plead with the Kaduna State House of Assembly to amend the KAD-SIECOM law to include heavy fines and jail terms for electoral offenses, especially for officials handling electoral matters,” he said.
Binniyat emphasized that the APC can win the election fairly, but it must follow the rules of the game. “It is possible for the APC to win all the 23 LGAs of Kaduna State, but it must do so under the rules of the game in a manner that we can, in good conscience, congratulate it and extend our hands of cooperation and work with the winners for a better Kaduna State,” he said.
The Middle Belt Forum’s rejection of the election results has sparked concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in Kaduna State. As Binniyat noted, it has become a “sick and sad fad” for governors to emasculate all positions of chairmen and councilors during local government elections.
The forum’s plea to Governor Uba Sani to take a courageous position on the matter is timely, as the integrity of the electoral process hangs in the balance. The outcome of this situation will be closely watched by citizens of Kaduna State and the wider international community.
In a state like Kaduna, which is highly advanced, hugely cosmopolitan, and sadly volatile, the need for a free and fair electoral process cannot be overstated. The Middle Belt Forum’s rejection of the election results serves as a reminder that democracy is not just about winning elections, but also about upholding the integrity of the process.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the people of Kaduna State deserve a better electoral process, one that is fair, free, and just.
