Kano State’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused opposition groups and electoral officials of undermining the integrity of Saturday’s rerun elections in the Ghari-Takai and Bagwai-Shanono state assembly constituencies. Party chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas alleged widespread voter intimidation, delays in distributing election materials, and systematic attempts to disenfranchise APC supporters, declaring the exercise fell short of democratic standards.
Abbas claimed opposition actors mobilized thugs to forcibly eject APC members from their homes, enabling unauthorized individuals to fraudulently cast votes. “Our supporters were chased away to allow ballot papers to be thumb-printed in their absence,” he said, adding that polling units in multiple areas lacked essential materials by late morning. While condemning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for “opaque operations,” he called for urgent reforms to align outcomes with voters’ intentions. “This is not an election,” Abbas emphasized.
INEC’s Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, countered that all necessary materials had been dispatched to polling units prior to voting. He acknowledged logistical hurdles and isolated security disruptions but credited law enforcement for containing threats. “No polling unit was deprived of materials,” Zango stated, though he admitted transportation delays affected the process. Security sources reported arrests tied to electoral offenses, though specifics remain undisclosed.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), a major opposition force, rejected claims of misconduct. Chairman Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa described NNPP supporters as “peaceful and disciplined,” stating none were armed or involved in violence. “We adhere strictly to the law and respect citizens’ rights to vote freely,” he said, urging authorities to investigate APC’s accusations impartially.
The rerun, ordered by an elections tribunal after disputes in the 2023 polls, underscores persistent tensions in Nigeria’s electoral system. Observers note recurring challenges such as logistical delays, security breaches, and mutual distrust between parties—issues mirroring past elections in other regions. As results are tallied, stakeholders await INEC’s final verdict, which could deepen debates about equitable electoral practices in Africa’s most populous democracy.
