By Peter Onyekachukwu 
From Peter Onyekachukwu, Kano
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the outcome of Saturday’s by-election in Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency, describing it as a “charade” allegedly hijacked by thugs loyal to the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Speaking at a press conference in Kano, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, accused the NNPP of importing armed thugs from neighbouring states and even beyond Nigeria’s borders to intimidate voters and disrupt the exercise.
According to him, the brazen violence took place despite a peace accord signed by political parties ahead of the by-election.
“On the day of the election, as early as 5am, Shanono and Bagwai local government areas were invaded by thousands of armed thugs wielding dangerous weapons, including guns, allegedly recruited from Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and beyond,” Ata alleged.
He said residents who noticed strange faces in their communities fled their homes in fear, many relocating to neighbouring Gwarzo and Bichi local government areas.
The minister further alleged that the APC candidate was attacked in his residence, while ballot papers and result sheets were hijacked by thugs who stuffed ballots and allocated votes to the NNPP.
He maintained that “no credible election took place in Shanono/Bagwai,” insisting that the will of the people was subverted.
“The people of Bagwai/Shanono, who have been patiently waiting for the by-election since the demise of their representative, Hon. Halilu Ibrahim Kundila in April last year, were disenfranchised, traumatised and chased away from their homes,” he said.
Ata therefore called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the election and fix a fresh date for what he described as a free, fair and transparent contest.
He also urged security agencies to investigate and prosecute those arrested in connection with the violence, stressing that allowing impunity would weaken Nigeria’s democratic process.
While appealing to APC supporters to remain calm, the minister said the integrity of elections must not be compromised.
“How can we claim to uphold democracy when citizens are chased away from their homes hours before the election? An election marred by violence is no election at all,” Ata queried.