Minister demands cancellation of Kano by-election over violence
By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
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.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday in Kano, Abdullahi-Ata alleged that armed thugs were mobilized from within and outside the state to disrupt Saturday’s poll, preventing voters from exercising their rights.
He claimed that thugs invaded polling units as early as 5 a.m., wielding weapons and intimidating residents.
The minister also accused attackers of targeting the residence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. Despite early warnings to security agencies, the violence persisted, disenfranchising voters awaiting the by-election since the death of their former representative, Hon. Halilu Ibrahim-Kundila, in April.
Abdullahi-Ata urged INEC to reschedule the election for a free and fair process and called for the prosecution of arrested suspects.
He appealed for calm among APC supporters, stressing that democracy depends on safe and credible elections.
“An election marred by violence is no election at all,” he said.