The Kaduna State Government has dismissed allegations by a coalition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) that it is plotting to manipulate Saturday’s bye-elections in the state. Officials described the claims as “laughable lies” and “a desperate attempt to pre-empt defeat.”
The coalition, led by ADC National Vice Chairman (Northwest), Jafaru Sani, had earlier accused Governor Uba Sani’s administration of orchestrating a plan to rig the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and two state constituency polls in Zaria and Sabon-Gari.
According to the group, the alleged plot involves recruiting political thugs, bribing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, and engaging in large-scale vote buying. They also claimed that land allocations were being offered to senior INEC officials and that a former senator was mobilized to fund the exercise.
“INEC must immediately replace compromised officials and security agencies must resist being weaponised to subvert the will of the people,” the coalition told reporters.
Kaduna Government Fires Back
In a swift rebuttal, Commissioner for Information-designate Ahmed Maiyaki, flanked by Commissioner for Local Government Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, dismissed the allegations as baseless and mischievous.
“This is nothing but a face-saving measure by people who already know the outcome of Saturday’s election,” Maiyaki said. “We will not sit idly by while political opportunists smear the name of our administration and malign innocent officials with wild, unsubstantiated claims.”
Maiyaki argued that the coalition’s “poorly attended rallies” in recent weeks reflected clear voter rejection. He stressed that the conduct of elections is the sole responsibility of INEC, not the state government.
He added that while opposition parties were “crying wolf,” Governor Uba Sani was focused on development, citing the flag-off of the Romi–Karatudu Township Roads project in Chikun Local Government Area as evidence of the administration’s priorities.
“Governor Uba Sani has united Kaduna people and delivered tangible development. These political jobbers are unsettled by his popularity, so they manufacture theatre to distract the public,” Maiyaki said, urging voters to “turn out en masse” on election day.
High-Stakes Contest
The bye-elections in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and the two state constituencies in Zaria and Sabon-Gari are seen as a critical test of strength between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties.
While the ADC/SDP coalition warns of possible compromise, the state government insists that the fears are unfounded, portraying them as an excuse to concede defeat.
As accusations intensify, all eyes are now on INEC and security agencies to guarantee a peaceful, transparent, and credible election in Kaduna this weekend.