THE All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have jointly called for the immediate cancellation of the by-election in Bagwai/Shanono Constituency and the rerun in Ghari/Tsanyawa Constituency of Kano State, following widespread reports of violence, intimidation, and disruption.
The elections, held on Saturday, were marred by large-scale thuggery and voter harassment, which both parties said made the exercise “a mockery of democracy.”
Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, confirmed that 288 suspected thugs were arrested with dangerous weapons across the two constituencies. The suspects, he said, were nabbed for various electoral offences ranging from voter intimidation to outright violence.
Despite heavy deployment of security operatives, incidents of ballot snatching, vote-buying, and disruption of polling units were reported in multiple wards.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a strongly worded statement, said the exercise was characterized by “extreme violence and disruption by armed thugs across several polling units.”
“Verifiable reports from Shanono and Bagwai Local Government Areas and Ghari constituency show voters fleeing polling areas, with deployed security personnel overwhelmed by the violence, making the prospects of a credible election impossible,” Morka declared.
He stressed that allowing the process to continue would “endorse electoral violence and undermine democratic integrity.”
“Proceeding with the Shanono/Bagwai 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 elections, and set a dangerous precedent for future polls,” he warned.
Similarly, Kano State PDP Chairman, Yusuf Ado Kibiya, expressed deep concern about what he described as “intimidation, thuggery, and conduct that undermines democracy.”
“The use of violence or threat of violence to influence voters and candidates is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Such actions not only endanger lives but destroy public trust in our institutions,” Kibiya said.
He further argued that constituents, already burdened by the loss of their representative, deserved a “transparent, peaceful and credible process” that reflects the will of the people.
Both APC and PDP urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the results and reschedule the elections under tighter security and stricter enforcement of electoral laws.
“The sanctity of the ballot must be protected,” Morka emphasized, while Kibiya called on INEC to provide “a level playing field for all 10 participating parties and ensure that voters can cast their ballots without fear.”
They also pressed for investigations into alleged breaches of electoral laws and prosecution of offenders.
The PDP further called on civil society groups, the media, and election observers to closely monitor the situation, report irregularities, and hold authorities accountable.
“The authorities must demonstrate commitment to a transparent, credible and peaceful electoral process,” Kibiya added.
With tensions running high, INEC has yet to issue an official statement on the demands for cancellation.
However, political observers warn that the violence in Kano raises serious concerns about the credibility of upcoming elections, particularly in volatile constituencies.