The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately suspend the ongoing bye-elections in Kano State, specifically the Shanono/Bagwai constituency and the Ghari constituency rerun.
The party expressed deep concern over the reported breakdown of law and order at several polling units, describing the situation as unprecedented and alarming.
In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, urged INEC to take urgent action to prevent further escalation of violence and ensure the credibility of the electoral process.
According to Morka, “Verifiable reports from Shanono and Bagwai Local Government Areas, as well as Ghari constituency, indicate that voters have been forced to flee polling stations due to threats and attacks by armed thugs.
Security personnel deployed to these areas appear overwhelmed and unable to restore order, raising serious doubts about the conduct of a free and fair election.”
The APC official alleged that the ongoing elections are being disrupted in multiple locations, with deliberate intimidation and acts of violence aimed at influencing voters and obstructing the electoral process.
He warned that allowing the elections to continue under such conditions could compromise the integrity of the vote and undermine public confidence in the democratic system.
Morka further stressed that proceeding with the Shanono/Bagwai bye-election and the Ghari rerun in an atmosphere dominated by “utter brigandage and outright violent voter intimidation” would violate the principles of democracy, which require elections to be free, fair, and peaceful.
He described the situation as a potential precedent for “undesirable and unacceptable electoral heist,” urging INEC to prioritize the safety of voters and the credibility of the election over adherence to the election timetable.
The APC’s appeal highlights the ongoing challenges faced by electoral authorities in ensuring secure and transparent elections, particularly in areas where political violence and intimidation have become recurrent issues.
The party’s call for an immediate halt to the voting process underscores the need for swift intervention to prevent further disruption and protect the democratic rights of citizens.