MINISTER CALLS FOR CANCELLATION OF BAGWAI/SHANONO BY-ELECTION OVER VIOLENCE, MALPRACTICE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi-Ata, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the Bagwai/Shanono State Assembly by-election, citing widespread violence and electoral malpractice.
Addressing journalists in Kano on Sunday, Abdullahi-Ata alleged that armed thugs, mobilised from within and outside the state, disrupted the polls held on Saturday, preventing many residents from casting their votes.
He said the thugs stormed Bagwai and Shanono local government areas as early as 5 a.m. on election day, wielding dangerous weapons, attacking voters, and forcing residents away from their polling units. He further claimed that the residence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the constituency was attacked despite early warnings sent to security agencies.
The minister expressed concern that the people of Bagwai/Shanono, who had been awaiting the by-election since the death of their former representative, Hon. Halilu Ibrahim-Kundila, in April 2024, were denied their right to participate in the democratic process.
He urged INEC to schedule a fresh poll that would be “free, fair, and transparent,” while also calling on security agencies to prosecute those arrested in connection with the violence.
Abdullahi-Ata appealed to APC supporters and residents to remain calm, emphasizing that democracy must be protected. “The foundation of democracy is the right of the people to vote freely and safely for candidates of their choice. An election marred by violence is no election at all,” he said.
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