The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take urgent steps to safeguard the integrity of Saturday’s bye-elections, following what it describes as a “coordinated plot” by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the polls through violence, voter intimidation, and financial inducement.
The party made the call in a statement jointly signed by Jafaru Ibrahim Sani–ADC National Vice Chairman, North-West, Elder Patrick Ambut–ADC Kaduna,State Chairman and Hon. Nasiru Maikano – SDP Kaduna State Chairman on Thursday.
The coalition in the statement raised serious concerns over alleged attempts by the state government to manipulate the electoral process in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, as well as Sabon-Gari and Zaria State Constituencies.
Hon. Nasiru Maikano, the Kaduna State Chairman of the SDP, declared: “The APC government is terrified of our coalition’s rising popularity. They know they cannot win in a free and fair contest, so they have resorted to underhand tactics, including the recruitment of thugs and the compromise of INEC officials.”
The coalition presented what it termed “credible intelligence” detailing how the APC-led state government had allegedly mobilized 4,000 thugs from within and outside Kaduna to disrupt the elections.
“These thugs are being paid and armed to intimidate voters, attack opposition agents, and cause chaos at polling units and collation centres,” said Elder Patrick Ambut, the ADC State Chairman. “This is not just an attack on our parties but a direct assault on democracy itself.”
Furthermore, the coalition accused the state government of setting aside a staggering N4.8 billion in what it described as an “election sabotage fund.”
“A disgraced former senator, notorious for electoral violence in past elections, has been put in charge of distributing these funds,” Ambut alleged. “Their plan is to buy votes, compromise security agents, and bribe INEC officials to manipulate results.”
One of the most alarming allegations raised by the SDP and ADC was the claim that senior INEC officials had been compromised through land allocations and financial inducements.
“We have concrete evidence that plots of land have been allocated to top INEC officials in Kaduna to influence their conduct during the election,” said Jafaru Ibrahim Sani, the ADC National Vice Chairman for the North-West. “This is a grave betrayal of public trust, and INEC must act immediately to recall and replace these compromised officers.”
The coalition also alleged that the Kaduna State Government had compelled the 23 local government councils in the state to contribute N30 million each towards rigging the election.
“This is public money being diverted to undermine democracy,” Sani stated. “We call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate these financial crimes immediately.”
With tensions rising ahead of the polls, the SDP and ADC urged security agencies to remain neutral and prevent any breakdown of law and order.
“We are aware that some security personnel may have been compromised,” Maikano said. “But we appeal to the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure that their officers do not become tools of oppression.”
The coalition warned that any attempt to manipulate the election could lead to unrest.
In a direct appeal to INEC, the SDP demanded immediate action to restore confidence in the electoral process.
“INEC must publicly reaffirm its commitment to a free and fair election,” Maikano insisted.
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