The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the bye-elections in Shanono/Bagwai State Constituency and the Ghari constituency rerun in Kano State, citing widespread violence and electoral disruptions.
In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Felix Morka, the APC alleged that armed thugs invaded several polling units, forcing voters to flee and overwhelming security personnel. Morka described the incidents as a threat to the credibility of the electoral process and warned that allowing the results to stand would set a dangerous precedent.
The police confirmed the arrest of about 288 suspected political thugs across the affected areas, many of whom were found with dangerous weapons. Despite the heavy security presence, APC insists the violence undermined the principles of free and fair elections.
While the APC demanded cancellation, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) dismissed the call as frivolous, maintaining that the elections were free, fair, and credible. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however, aligned with APC’s concerns, also urging INEC to annul the results over cases of intimidation and thuggery.
INEC is yet to issue a formal statement on the cancellation request, as collation of results and reviews continue.