ELECTION RERUN: ‘Security Agents Compromised,’ Kaduna PDP Agent Laments Vote Buying

• A PDP representative has accused security personnel of compromising the Kaduna by-election through vote buying.

Yusuf Abubakar, a Kaduna State representative of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has claimed that security agents have been influenced in the current by-election taking place within the state.

During an interview with Channels Television on Saturday at Polling Unit 009 in Barnawa, Kaduna South Local Government Area, Abubakar conveyed his disappointment regarding the high occurrence of vote purchasing within the area.

During the ongoing rerun and bye-elections, he claimed that particular security agents were involved in enabling and endorsing vote buying.

According to the PDP agent, if you take a look around, you will witness people openly engaging in voter trading. It is not hidden but rather apparent.

Abubakar affirmed that political agents do indeed purchase votes in the presence of security agents. He went on to add that some security agents are also being influenced, but he refrained from commenting any further.

Uncertainty plagued Abubakar as to whether or not the INEC officials were cognizant of the matter.

He further noted that voters may not have the liberty to exercise their voting rights if they are under external influence.

“I cannot comment on whether they are aware or not because they are presently engaged in their exercise. As political parties and agents, we possess knowledge of this ongoing activity.”

It troubles me that individuals are more inclined to receive money prior to voting rather than make their own choices.

Polls Rerun and Saturday By

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is presently engaged in the by-elections and re-runs for 80 Local Government Areas (LGAs) spanning across 26 states of Nigeria, according to FRESHREPORTERS NEWS.

This exercise is expected to involve the participation of 4,613,291 Nigerians who have obtained their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

The purpose of these elections is to fill vacant seats in the national and state assemblies due to members who have either passed away or resigned. Also, certain constituencies or polling units (PUs) will rerun their elections as suggested by the election appeal tribunals.

Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC Chairman stated that these upcoming elections aim to occupy positions in a minimum of three senatorial districts, 17 federal constituencies, and 28 state constituencies.

4,904,627 voters are registered for the election and they will be distributed among 80 local government areas, 575 registration areas/wards as well as 8,934 polling units. Presently, a total of 4,613291 PVCs have been collected.

Elections are scheduled to take place in Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue Borno Kaduna Plateau Akwa Ibom and Anambra states. Furthermore electoral activities shall be conducted in Cross River Delta Enugu Jigawa Katsina Adamawa Bauchi Bayelsa Kano Nasarawa Niger Oyo Sokoto as well as Zamfara state…[CONTINUE READING HERE]>>