By-election: Kaduna Govt Debunks ADC, SDP Allegations Of Election Sabotage

Kaduna State government has refuted allegations by the coalition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of plotting to undermine this Saturday’s by-elections into Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency and state constituencies in Zaria and Sabon-Gari.

The coalition, led by ADC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Jafaru Ibrahim Sani, at a press briefing on Thursday, alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had mobilised 4,000 political thugs to intimidate voters and opposition agents.

They further accused the government of compromising some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the elections scheduled for Saturday.

According to the coalition, the 23 local government councils in the state were reportedly coerced into contributing N30 million each towards an “election sabotage fund.”

They also alleged that the sum of N4.8 billion was sourced from Abuja to facilitate vote-buying, compromise electoral officers and induce security personnel.

The coalition also claimed that senior government officials, including a serving commissioner, were at the centre of plans to disrupt the electoral process, with local government chairmen in Kudan, Soba, and Zaria allegedly recruiting thugs to attack opposition campaign events.

They called on INEC to urgently withdraw and replace allegedly compromised officials with neutral personnel and urged security agencies to maintain neutrality, prevent violence, and ensure offenders — irrespective of party affiliation are brought to justice.

The statement was jointly signed by Jafaru Ibrahim Sani, ADC Kaduna state chairman, Patrick Ambut and SDP state chairman, Hon. Nasiru Maikano.

Reacting to the allegations, Kaduna state Commissioner of Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, described the allegations as “laughable” and “desperate,” accusing the opposition coalition of attempting to discredit a process they fear losing.

He emphasised that the state government has no constitutional role in conducting elections, noting that INEC remains solely responsible for the exercise.

Maiyaki stated that the administration has directed its legal team to review the allegations and consider appropriate legal action.

“Governor Uba Sani is focused on delivering critical developmental projects, including the ongoing Romi–Karatudu township roads in Chikun Local Government Area,” he said.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Local Government, Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, said the coalition’s “poorly attended rallies” in recent weeks were indicative of their rejection by the electorate.

“Democracy in Kaduna is alive and thriving — and no amount of theatre from El-Rufai’s political leftovers in ADC will change that,” he stated.