Kano by-election: NNPP rejects APC’s call for cancellation

‎‎The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has condemned the call for cancellation of the by-elections in Shanono/Bagwai and Re-run in Ghari constituencies in Kano State.

‎Reacting to the call by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the cancellation over alleged violence, the party said such statement credited to the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, was frivolous and bereft of facts and reality.

‎In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, Barrister Ladipo Johnson, the party 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.

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‎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.

‎”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.
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“The results ought to be validated by the INEC and those who conducted the election will adjudge same as free, fair and credible and validly won by NNPP candidates, because they were.”

‎The party also applauded the people of Kano State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of the security agencies for ensuring a credible voting exercise during the bye election and the re-run.

‎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.
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“But kudos to the vigilance of the security agencies, such situation did not repeat itself today during the bye election in Kano State as the process went on smoothly without any violence whatsoever.
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“The NNPP hereby salutes the patriotism of the INEC officials who conducted the election and the security agencies for demonstrating absolute professionalism and courage.
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“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,” the statement concluded.