The Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Felix Hassan Hyat, has expressed concerns about what he perceives as plans by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to engage in what he describes as “various undemocratic, secretive, and unlawful activities aimed at rigging the rerun elections across the seven local government areas.”
The by-elections are scheduled to take place in Kaduna South, Chikun, Kauru, Igabi, Kudan, Kachia, and Kagarko local government areas.
A statement from the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the chairman, Edward John Auta, conveyed the party’s worries about the APC’s alleged intentions to collude with certain corrupt officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to manipulate the election results in favor of APC candidates.
The statement claimed that the PDP had received reliable information suggesting that the APC was planning to buy votes or deploy thugs to cause chaos if vote buying strategies failed. The PDP expressed confidence in the determination of the new Resident Electoral Commissioner to organize a credible election but alleged that the APC was working with corrupt INEC staff to obtain fake copies of Forms EC8A, which would be used to falsify predetermined polling unit results.
It was further alleged that in Makera, Igabi, and Kauru, the dismissed speaker, along with senior government officials, were actively seeking to manipulate the voting process. The statement called on the Commissioner of Police and other security agency heads to ensure professionalism, patriotism, and impartiality among their officers during the election.
The PDP also urged INEC to instruct its staff to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any acts of manipulation that could damage the already tarnished image of the commission.
