The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of using state-backed security forces to intimidate voters and manipulate the outcome of the Zamfara State House of Assembly by-election in Kaura Namoda South Constituency.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, PDP officials alleged that the poll, held on August 16, was marred by harassment, ballot snatching, and voter suppression reportedly carried out by armed operatives acting under political instructions.
The opposition party claimed that photographic and video evidence showed voters being assaulted while ballot boxes were taken away by heavily armed personnel who allegedly said they were acting on “orders from above.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has since declared the election inconclusive in five polling units. The affected locations include Alko/Shiyar Kudu (Sakajiki Ward), Shiyar Magaji/Kofar Hamza (Kyambarawa Ward), Shiyar Nufawa/Kofar MD Nuhu (Sakajiki Ward), Tukasu/Sabuwar Kasuwa (Kyambarawa Ward), and Kofar Fada/Shiyar Fada (Kyambarawa Ward). A rerun is scheduled for Thursday, August 21.
The PDP further alleged that a serving minister from Zamfara State coordinated the deployment of “full battalions” of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Mobile Police, and Department of State Services (DSS) to the affected polling units. It described the move as an attempt to impose a climate of fear and disenfranchise the electorate.
“Intelligence available to our party reveals that the APC intends to use security agencies to bully and prevent INEC officials from conducting a free, fair, and credible process, while assisting the APC to manipulate and declare a result that does not reflect the will of the people,” the PDP stated.
The opposition warned that the development poses a “clear and present danger” to Nigeria’s democracy, insisting that Zamfara citizens “are not a conquered people” and would resist attempts to undermine their mandate.
Calling for vigilance, the PDP urged Nigerians and the international community to monitor the situation closely, accusing the APC of edging toward “creeping totalitarianism” and seeking to entrench a one-party state.
It also warned that the ruling party should be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Kaura Namoda or elsewhere in Zamfara.
“The PDP and the people of Zamfara State will not accept any results that are at variance with the already collated votes reflecting the will of the electorate,” the party declared.
