The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will not feature in the Dec. 9, Bakura state constituency supplementary election in Zamfara.
Chairman of the State APC Publicity Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji, stated this at a news conference in Gusau on Tuesday.
The supplementary election followed the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the Dec. 5, by-election in the state was inconclusive due to the cancellation of results in 14 polling units due to over-voting.
INEC also fixed Wednesday, Dec. 9, for a supplementary election in the 14 polling units that were canceled.
Addressing journalists, Magaji said that the APC decided to boycott the election because it has lost confidence in both INEC and security agencies in the state.
His words: “Our decision was based on the unfortunate situation that characterized the Dec. 5, Bakura by-election.
“The election was marred by intimidation, harassment, and large-scale violence that culminated in snatching of ballot boxes, the kidnapping of electoral officials, and the killing of innocent people.
“Our representatives attended the stakeholders meeting organized by INEC in Gusau on Monday, Dec. 7, to fine-tune measures put in place for the smooth conduct of the supplementary election.
“The meeting was supposed to be attended by security agencies in the state because of their pivotal role as critical stakeholders in the election, but neither their heads nor their representatives attended the meeting.
“The APC as a party, reviewed the issues pertaining to the election, especially concerning security of lives and property of the electorate.
“After intimating INEC of our fears, we suggested that the election be shifted to a more convenient date so that all the issues raised from the last election will be addressed, but INEC went ahead with the plans to conduct the election on Dec. 9.
“We wish to inform the general public that the APC will not participate in the supplementary election.”
