Very sad elections could not hold today - Kwankwaso speaks on Kano re-run, calls for fresh election
- Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso has called for fresh conduct of the supplementary election in Kano state
- The former governor said the re-run election was characterized by excessive violence and visible malpractices
- The PDP leader accused DIG Anthony Michael Obizi of providing protection for thugs suspected to be loyalists of APC
The senator representing Kano Central, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has rejected the March 23 supplementary election held in the state, adding that the rerun was marred by politicization of the security operatives, hence calling for fresh poll.
Speaking with newsmen in a reaction to the violence that characterized the electoral exercise in the state, the former Kano governor condemned the role of the police under the command of DIG Anthony Michael Obizi.
The PDP leader accused Obizi of providing protection for thugs suspected to be loyalists of All Progressives Congress (APC),
Kwankwaso insisted that violence and high rigging was heavily at bay in the 28 local governments area where the election was held.
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The former governor said: “It is very sad that elections could not hold today because, by yesterday evening, all the polling units in the rerun areas were overtaken by thugs. Very early morning today elections were concluded in many polling centres.
“And even more concerning is the role of the police under the leadership of DIG Anthony Obizie who actually back up thugs under the leadership of the Kano state government. It is a very sad day for all of us and a very sad day for democracy.
“There are very few places where elections took place especially here in the city but there was no election in the overwhelming places because they were overtaken by thugs. People were going around with ballot papers and result sheets, writing what they wanted and submitted them to the INEC officials.
“Our prayer is that this election should be cancelled and re-scheduled so that we can have better, free and fair elections in Kano. I don’t think by all standards, the elections here in Kano can hold water. It is unacceptable and I don’t think INEC can go ahead to count because there is nothing to count.''
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had insisted that no election was held in Kano, calling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare its candidate, Abba Yusuf, winner of the March 23 re-run.
The opposition party made this known in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, and obtained by Legit.ng on Saturday, March 23.
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Source: Legit.ng