PDP points fingers at APC of Violence and Irregularities in Zamfara State Bye-Election

Gusau, Zamfara State — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged massive irregularities, intimidation, and violence during the State House of Assembly bye-election held on Saturday in Kaura Namoda South Constituency, Zamfara State.

The allegations were made by the PDP State Chairman, Dr. Jamilu Jibo, at a news briefing at the party headquarters in Gusau, the state capital.

Dr. Jibo accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of colluding with security agencies, especially military personnel, to harass voters and disrupt the electoral process. He claimed that heavily armed soldiers were deployed at polling units where they allegedly intimidated, assaulted, and chased away PDP party agents and supporters.

He further alleged that in Sakajiki Ward, ballot papers were hijacked, and results were fabricated in the absence of PDP officials. The party also contended that the presence of soldiers inside polling centres violated the Electoral Act, which mandates security operatives to maintain a reasonable distance from voting points.

Dr. Jibo raised concerns about reports that bandits were mobilized to threaten voters, warning them not to cast their votes for the PDP. He described this as a dangerous trend that could undermine Nigeria’s democracy if left unchecked.

Despite the intimidation, the PDP commended its supporters in Kaura Namoda South for their resilience and pledged to seek redress through legal and constitutional means. The party called on its members to remain calm and law-abiding.

Attempts to get a response from Zamfara APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris Gusau, were unsuccessful.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the Kaura Namoda South State Constituency bye-election inconclusive, cancelling results from some polling units in Sakajiki and Kambarawa wards.

According to the INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Lawal Sa’adu, the margin between APC and PDP was less than the number of Permanent Voter Cards collected in the cancelled units, necessitating supplementary elections.

By Enoch  Odesola | August 17, 2025