Katsina Bye-election: PDP wants INEC to conduct fresh poll

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State has called for a fresh election in 23 polling units of Mashi/Dutsi federal constituency.

This followed an alleged ‘brazen abuse of electoral process’ during the conduct of last Saturday’s bye-election into the vacant seat in the National Assembly created by the death of the former member.

Addressing newsmen in Katsina, the state chairman of the PDP, Salisu Yusuf Majigiri alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the election used government resources and personnel including security agencies to deny the electorates of their rights to vote.

According to him, “the election, in our estimation was full of rancour, intimidation, ballot box snatching, show of power, illegal use of government resources and personnel including security personnel at the election venues.

“We are aware that the governor has issued order to intimidate and harass whoever goes against the wishes of the APC,” he said, adding that this threat has not deterred then, nor discouraged the voters.

Majigiri explained that the turnout was massive, recording more than 60 percent of the registered voters, stating that, “despite the huge turnout, what happened last Saturday was a threat to Nigerian democracy and rape to justice and freedom of expression.”

He added that, more than 13,000 voters were either denied access to the voting centres, harassed at gun point or threatened by thugs with the police providing cover.

“We therefore appeal to INEC to allow these voters exercise their fundamental human rights to be given the opportunity to cast their votes as they were denied their right to vote,” he posited.

While giving the party submission, Majigiri said the election should be declared inconclusive as “we will challenge the APC candidate’s qualification to contest in the court of law.”
Meanwhile, INEC has declared the APC candidate, Mansir Ali Mashi as the winner of the bye-election conducted in Mashi/Dutsi federal constituency.

Announcing the results, Prof Hudu Ayuba said APC won the election with 27,968 votes as against the PDP candidate’s 19,451 votes.

Prof Ayuba said the total registered voters in the constituency were 135,571, 51,576 voters were accredited, adding that, out of the total 50,084 votes cast, 47,751 were valid, while 2,333 votes were rejected.