The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State has rejected the results of the Tsanyawa/Ghari State Constituency re-run election, alleging manipulation and disenfranchisement of voters.
The party, however, commended the conduct of the Shanono/Bagwai bye-election, describing it as credible and peaceful.
Comrade Hashimu Sulaiman Dungurawa, Chairman of the NNPP in Kano State, made this known while briefing newsmen on Sunday in Kano.
Dungurawa said the party acknowledged the “tremendous achievements” recorded in both elections but would not accept what it termed “manipulations” in Tsanyawa/Ghari.
“It is unacceptable that INEC cancelled the results of the 10 polling units earlier nullified by the Appeal Court, which had ordered a fresh election. Voters came out massively and cast their votes largely for our candidate, but their rights have been denied,” he said.
He alleged that some politicians connived with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate the outcome by declaring the APC candidate winner at the commission’s state headquarters instead of the constituency collation centre.
“This action disenfranchised the electorate and undermined the credibility of INEC. All presiding officers at the polling units had signed the results at their collation centres, and only they have the power to cancel elections, not the INEC headquarters,” Dungurawa added.
The NNPP chairman commended voters in Shanono/Bagwai, as well as security agencies and stakeholders, for ensuring a peaceful and credible process in that constituency.
“If not because results in Shanono/Bagwai were declared at the collation centres, APC might have attempted to change the narrative. We salute the courage of our people who stood with us and voted massively for NNPP candidates,” he said.
Dungurawa assured that the party would continue to fight injustice, favouritism and electoral manipulation in Kano State.