Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has commended security agencies for thwarting alleged attempts by political thugs to disrupt the just concluded State House of Assembly bye-election in Kaura Namoda South Constituency.
The APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Yusuf Idris Gusau, stated this at a news press briefing in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
Yusuf Gusau said the security agencies remained resolute and professional for preventing a sinister plan alleged by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to deploy outlawed vigilante groups, including the Community Protection Guards (CPG) and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), during the election.
He also alleged that, despite the ban on such groups, the state government deployed them in large numbers across the six wards, armed with sophisticated weapons, in an attempt to rig the election.
Gusau added that the proactive measures of security personnel frustrated the move.
The APC spokesman dismissed PDP’s claim that, the military intimidated voters during the poll, described the allegation as baseless and an insult to security agencies that only acted to prevent ballot snatching and electoral violence.
Malam Yusuf Idris further accused the PDP for resorting to propaganda after losing at the polls, instead of presenting evidence before the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, or the election tribunal.
He maintained that, the people of Kaura Namoda South voted overwhelmingly for the APC, which he said was proof that Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration is losing popularity in the state.
The APC also alleged that, PDP thugs, led by some local government chairmen, disrupted voting at polling units in Kasuwa Daji, Sakajiki, and Tukasu, where ballot boxes and election materials were destroyed, while some INEC officials were assaulted.
He further claimed that some top government aides were also involved in supervising the disruptions.
Yusuf Idris Gusau called on the police to investigate the source of firearms allegedly distributed to the thugs, stressing that democracy is about the ballot, not violence or propaganda.
He urged security agencies to sustain their proactive role in future elections to build public confidence in the electoral process.
According to him, the APC will continue to uphold democratic values and remain law-abiding at all times.
Similarly at a news briefing, yesterday the Chairman of the People Democratic Party PDP in Zamfara State Dr Jamilu Jibo also alleged massive irregularities, intimidation, and violence during the State House of Assembly bye-election.
Dr Jibo claimed that, the All Progressives Congress, APC had colluded with security agencies, particularly military personnel, to harass voters and disrupt the electoral process.
He also alleged that heavily armed soldiers were deployed across polling units where they allegedly intimidated, assaulted, and chased away party agents and supporters.
According to him, in Sakajiki Ward, ballot papers were hijacked while results were fabricated in the absence of its officials among other allegations.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
