Politics
NNPP Hails INEC, Security Agencies Over Kano Polls As PDP Rejects Results
NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, on Saturday in Abuja, praised Kano residents for enabling transparent voting during the by-elections but condemned calls to cancel the two elections.
Mr Johnson described the cancellation call, allegedly over violence, credited to the All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesman, Felix Morka, as frivolous and devoid of facts and reality.
He asserted that Mr Morka’s position blatantly misrepresented the actual events, emphasizing that the NNPP candidate decisively won, as duly declared by INEC.
Mr Johnson restated that the two constituency elections were free, fair, credible, and peaceful, consistent with Kano’s status as an NNPP stronghold.
“We must state unequivocally that there were no widespread irregularities during the election, contrary to the misleading narrative being peddled by the APC,” Mr Johnson declared.
He added that Kano is the NNPP stronghold, making an APC win unlikely, as electoral history and recent outcomes show.
“The results have now been validated by the INEC commissioner, who adjudged them free, fair, credible, and validly won by NNPP candidates,” Mr Johnson said.
He commended the Kano people for resisting alleged nefarious activities during the elections.
“The NNPP salutes the patriotism of INEC officials and security agencies for demonstrating professionalism and courage throughout the exercise,” Mr Johnson said.
He added that both INEC and the police in Kano attested to the credibility of the by-election, which went smoothly without violence.
“NNPP therefore urges Nigerians and the international community to disregard any claim of violence in today’s by-election in Kano State,” Mr Johnson said.
The party claimed the electoral process was marred by thuggery, with political thugs intimidating eligible voters, rendering the exercise ridiculous.
The chairman of the party, Yusuf Kibiya, who stated this while addressing newsmen on Saturday in Kano, described the process as “totally devoid of all democratic processes”.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing ground for all parties, emphasising that the current state of affairs undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
Mr Kibiya explained that the entire process was “totally devoid of all democratic processes”.
He called on security agencies to protect voters, uphold peaceful assembly, and deter intimidation and violence.
The party chairman advised the Kano State government and national leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and actions, and urged them to promote a transparent and peaceful electoral process.
He also called on relevant authorities to investigate electoral law breaches and sanction offenders accordingly to prevent future misconduct.
The Nigeria Police on Saturday announced the arrest of 288 suspected thugs during the re-run election for Ghari/Tsanyawa state constituency and Bagwai/Shanono state constituency.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Bakori, disclosed this to newsmen in Shanono Local Government Area.