El-Rufai ‘Won’ Through Ballot Box Snatching, No Card Reader – Observers

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Some groups who observed the Kaduna State governorship poll won by Governor Nasir el-Rufai have disclosed that the election was marred by serious irregularities, to win at all cost.

“The military led by senior local council officials disrupted voting, unleashed terror and carted away ballot boxes in some of the polling units in Ikara, Fala, Sayasaya, Kurmin Kogi, Rumi Auchan, Kuya, Paki, Jamfalan and saulawa wards in Ikara LGA. Some of our observers were attacked.”

Led by Prof Banake Sambo of the Initiative for the Promotion of Civic Obligation and Sustainable Peace, the group stated this at a press conference on Friday in Kaduna.

Present at the press conference were Sani Umar (The Integrity Friends for Truth and peace initiative), Dr Usman Kabiru (Centre for Strategy Ethics and Value) and Felicia Kwawo (Women Empowerment for Global Impact Initiative).

Sambo alleged massive vote-buying at polling units in Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Ikara and Kubau where Governor el-Rufai got substantial votes.

According to him, card readers were not used for the election in some polling units in 10 LGAs. He listed the LGAs as Giwa, Zaria, Sabon-Gari, Ikara, Lere, Igabi, Soba, Kaduna South and Kaduna North.

He also alleged that incidents of ballot box snatching were recorded in 13 polling units in Birnin-Gwari LGA.

He added, “Instances of voters and agents being intimidated; and violent acts aided by the military were [also] noted in Kwasallo ward in Soba LGA…”

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