The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has condemned the call for cancellation of Saturday’s by-elections in the Shanono/Bagwai constituency and the re-run in the Ghari constituency in Kano.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) had earlier asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the elections on accusations of “extreme violence”.
The call came as Audu Zango, Kano resident electoral commissioner (REC), said over 100 suspected political thugs were arrested in the Bagwai by-election.
But in a statement on Saturday, Ladipo Johnson, NNPP publicity secretary, said the APC’s request was frivolous and bereft of facts and reality.
Johnson insisted that the bye-elections were free, fair, credible and peaceful, noting that by virtue of Kano being an NNPP stronghold, it was unimaginable that the results could have been otherwise.
“And the electoral history and outcomes in recent times in Kano State attest to this reality and conviction,” the statement reads.
“The results have now been validated by the INEC Commissioner and … who conducted the election and adjudged same as free, fair and credible as validly won by NNPP candidates.”
He applauded voters, INEC, and security agencies for ensuring a “credible voting exercise”.
