A senior figure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, has dismissed the outcome of the Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency by-election, describing it as “a charade” tainted by widespread violence, intimidation, and ballot snatching.
Ata, who serves as the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, addressed reporters in Kano on Sunday, where he accused the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of orchestrating the chaos that plagued the exercise. He alleged that the party imported armed thugs from nearby states and even across borders to manipulate the vote.
“We are here this afternoon to brief you on our position regarding yesterday’s charade called an election in Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency of our dear state, Kano,” Ata told journalists.
He stated that all political parties had earlier signed a peace accord intended to guarantee a violence-free process, but according to him, the NNPP flouted the agreement by unleashing armed groups on election day.
“Under the guise of conducting their rally, the NNPP imported armed thugs from neighbouring states and countries, infiltrated all the wards in Shanono/Bagwai to launch coordinated attacks on supporters of the opposition political parties, particularly the APC,” Ata alleged.
The minister went further to claim that even the home of the APC candidate was not spared from attacks. He lamented that despite multiple warnings to security agencies, the violence continued unchecked.
“As early as 5am yesterday, Shanono and Bagwai local government areas were invaded by thousands of armed thugs wielding dangerous weapons, including guns, allegedly recruited from within and outside Kano State,” Ata said. “They were conveyed in hundreds of trucks and vehicles.”
He explained that the presence of the heavily armed groups forced many residents to flee their homes to nearby Gwarzo and Bichi local government areas in search of safety. According to him, this development left genuine voters traumatised and unable to exercise their democratic rights. “The people of Bagwai/Shanono, who have been patiently waiting for this by-election, were disenfranchised, traumatised and chased away from their homes,” he noted.
Ata alleged further that the NNPP “hijacked ballot materials, thumped ballot papers and allocated votes for their party,” stressing that “no credible election took place in Shanono/Bagwai.”
He therefore demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nullify the results and conduct a new poll. “We call on INEC to immediately cancel this charade and fix a date for the conduct of a fresh, free, fair and transparent election,” he declared.
The minister also appealed to APC supporters to remain law-abiding while urging security agencies to prosecute those arrested during the violence. “We urge the security agencies to ensure the prosecution of all the armed thugs who have been arrested in connection with this charade,” he added.
Ata ended his briefing with a stern reminder of the dangers posed by electoral violence. “How can we claim to uphold democracy when citizens are chased away from their homes hours before the election? How can we guarantee the legitimacy of a process overshadowed by threats and chaos? An election marred by violence is no election at all,” he stressed.
Despite his rejection, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced on Sunday that the NNPP candidate emerged victorious in the Bagwai/Shanono by-election.
What you should know
Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, a notable APC chieftain and Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, has strongly rejected the outcome of the Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency by-election.
He accused the NNPP of instigating violence, importing thugs, and hijacking the process. While INEC declared the NNPP candidate winner, Ata is calling for the annulment of the results and the conduct of a fresh election.
