The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Kebbi State Police Command have rejected allegations that they intend to collude with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the upcoming governorship election. The claims were made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Aminu Bande, during a news conference in Birnin Kebbi, where he accused INEC and the police of planning to conduct the election without the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). He also suggested that ballot papers would be handed to the ruling party on the eve of the election for pre‑printing.
INEC in Kebbi State described the accusations as “fiction” and the product of the opposition’s imagination. Speaking through the state’s Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Alhaji Muhammadu Rabi’u, INEC affirmed that BVAS will be used in every polling unit across the state, as mandated by Nigerian law. “BVAS must be used in all elections in Nigeria henceforth and will continue to be used until a more improved technology is obtained,” he said. Rabi’u warned that any attempt by staff or outsiders to conduct an election without BVAS would be prosecuted.
Regarding the allegation of ballot papers being supplied to the APC before the election, Rabi’u explained that all sensitive materials are kept by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Distribution occurs only after police and representatives of all political parties are present simultaneously, ensuring transparency. “As an agent of a political party, you are an ambassador of that party; it is your responsibility to oversee and ensure that the right thing is done,” he added, emphasizing that no collusion is taking place.
Kebbi State Police Commissioner Ahmed Magaji‑Kontagora also denied the accusations, stating that the police are a federal agency and must remain apolitical. Through the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nafi’u Abubakar, he reiterated the force’s neutrality, saying, “We were warned to be neutral in all elections; therefore, I don’t think any member of the force will be involved in colluding with INEC or anyone else to tamper with the election. This is not true.” He assured that the police and other security agencies are fully prepared to ensure a smooth, successful election and urged political parties and the electorate to maintain confidence in the security services.
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