The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has condemned calls for cancellation of the by-elections in Shanono/Bagwai and re-run in Ghari constituencies in Kano State.
The party has also applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) security agencies and voters for a credible bye election and the re-run, reports Sunday Independent.
The party’s remarks come on the heels of calls by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the cancellation of the poll over alleged violence.
In a statement late yesterday, NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Ladipo Johnson, said the call by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, was frivolous, bereft of facts and reality.
Johnson said “Morka’s position did not reflect the actual run of events at the election, stating that the NNPP candidate won overwhelmingly and as declared by the INEC Commissioner.
NNPP was unequivocal in its assertion that the Shanono/Bagwai and Ghari constituencies bye-election and re-run were free, fair and credible and peaceful, adding that being an NNPP stronghold, it was unimaginable that the result could have been otherwise.”
The statement continued, ”So, the baseless cries of alleged violence as stated by Felix Morka is frivolous, clearly misplaced, bereft of facts and did not reflect the reality of the election.
”We must state unequivocally that there was no widespread irregularities at the election contrary to the misleading narrative by the APC.
”Of course, it should be clear to all and sundry that Kano generally is the stronghold of the NNPP and it is therefore inconceivable that the APC could have won the election.
“And the electoral history and outcomes in recent times in Kano State attest to this reality and conviction.
“The results have now been validated by the INEC Commissioner who conducted the election and adjudged same as free, fair and credible as validly won by NNPP candidates”.
The party applaud the people of Kano State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of the security agencies for ensuring a credible voting exercise during bye election.
It saluted the courage of the people of Kano to withstand the antics of those it referred to as enemies of democracy in Kano State through their nefarious activities during elections.
”The NNPP recalls the activities of these people which resulted in the death of some members of the NNPP when a member of the National Assembly was alleged to have led some thugs to the Secretariat of NNPP in Tudun-Wada Local Government Areas during the 2023 general election and set it ablaze.
“But kudos to the vigilance of the security agencies, such a situation did not repeat itself today during the bye election in Kano State as the process went on smoothly without any violence whatsoever.
“The NNPP hereby salutes the patriotism of the INEC officials who conducted the election and the security agencies for demonstrating absolute professionalism and courage.
“The credibility of today’s bye election has been attested to by both the leadership of the lNEC and the Police in Kano State. In simple terms, the election in Kano State went smoothly without any violence. NNPP is therefore urging Nigerians and the international community to disregard any claim of violence in today’s bye election in Kano State.”
