APC Urges INEC to Cancel Kano Bye-Election Over Widespread Violence and Electoral Disruption
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately cancel the ongoing bye-elections in the Shanono/Bagwai State Constituency as well as the Ghari Constituency rerun election in Kano State.
Kano bye-election violence
In a strongly-worded statement released on Saturday, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, emphasized that the decision was necessary due to the alarming levels of electoral violence, voter intimidation, and general chaos unleashed by armed political thugs. According to Morka, these attacks were targeted at disrupting the electoral process across multiple polling units in Shanono, Bagwai, and Ghari constituencies.
Citing verified and credible reports from party agents and observers in the field, the APC noted that the situation in these areas had become unmanageable. In many polling units, voters were reportedly seen fleeing for safety, abandoning the electoral process altogether. It was also reported that security personnel deployed to safeguard the process were overwhelmed, unable to contain the scale of violence and intimidation witnessed during the polls.
“It is evident that proceeding with these elections under such volatile and lawless conditions would not only compromise the credibility of the electoral process but would also contradict the fundamental democratic principles of conducting free, fair, and peaceful elections,” the APC stated.
The party further warned that allowing the elections to continue amidst this level of violence and disorder could set a dangerous precedent—normalizing electoral malpractice and undermining public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
INEC urged to cancel Kano elections
Describing the situation as one of “utter brigandage and calculated voter suppression,” the APC emphasized that the integrity of the Kano State elections had been fundamentally compromised, rendering any outcome illegitimate and unacceptable.
The party concluded its statement by urging INEC to act swiftly and decisively by declaring a complete cancellation of both the Shanono/Bagwai bye-election and the Ghari rerun, and to ensure that any future attempt at conducting these elections is done under stricter security conditions and in a more peaceful and democratic environment.
