APC Asks INEC to Cancel Kano Bye-Election, Gives Reason
- The APC has called on INEC to cancel the rerun election in the Ghari constituency and the bye-election in the Shanono/Bagwai constituency
- Felix Morka, the APC spokesperson, made the call in a statement on Saturday, August 16, citing extreme and widespread violence in the electoral process
- Morka explained that the development makes free, fair and credible elections impossible to achieve and urged the electoral body to heed his party's demand
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the cancellation of the bye-elections in the Shanono/Bagwai constituency and the Ghari constituency rerun election in the northwest state, while sending a message to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Felix Morka, the APC publicity secretary, in a statement on Saturday, August 16, explained that the cancellation was important because of the widespread and extreme violence, as well as election disruption by some armed thugs in many polling units in Shanono, Bagwai and Ghari constituencies.
Source: Twitter
Why APC want Kano bye-election cancelled
Morka explained that verifiable reports from the Shanono and Bagwai local government areas and Ghari constituency, where voted were reportedly fleeing the polling areas and the security operatives were overwhelmed by the violence. The party said the development made the prospects of a credible election impossible.
The statement reads in part:
“Proceeding with the Shanono/Bagwai Kano State Constituency bye-election and Ghari rerun election in the atmosphere of utter brigandage and outright violent voter intimidation will be against democratic dictates of free, fair and peaceful election and set a dangerous precedent for undesirable and unacceptable electoral heist.”
INEC conducts bye-election in 12 states
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is organising by-elections across 12 states in Nigeria to fill vacant seats in the national and state houses of assembly. According to INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, these elections cover two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state house of assembly seats.
The senatorial by-elections are scheduled to take place in Edo and Anambra states. For the federal constituencies, by-elections are being conducted in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo states. Simultaneously, state house of assembly elections are taking place in Adamawa, Anambra, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara states.
The by-elections were triggered by events such as the death of elected officials or their appointment to other roles, such as Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, in Edo State, who previously served in the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively.
Source: Twitter
PDP agent arrested in Kaduna bye-election
Legit.ng earlier reported that the police, in conjunction with other security agents, have arrested a PDP agent with the cash sum of N25 million in the Kaduna bye-election.
According to the police authority, the suspect confessed that the money was meant to induce voters in the election and begged for leniency.
Kaduna is one of the 12 states in the country where bye-elections are being held on Saturday, August 16, to fill vacant positions in the National and state Houses of Assembly.
Source: Legit.ng
