Kaduna Government Dismisses Rigging Allegations Ahead of Bye-Elections as “Desperate Lies”

The Kaduna State Government on Thursday strongly refuted accusations by a coalition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) that it is plotting to undermine Saturday’s bye-elections. Describing the allegations as “laughable lies,” the government insisted the claims were a tactic to preempt electoral defeat.

The coalition, led by ADC National Vice Chairman (Northwest), Jafaru Sani, alleged that the administration of Governor Uba Sani was orchestrating plans to rig the bye-elections in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and the state constituencies of Zaria and Sabon-Gari. They claimed the plot included recruiting thugs, bribing electoral officials, and large-scale vote buying. Sani further alleged that senior officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were being offered land in exchange for electoral cooperation, with a former senator purportedly tasked with mobilising funds for vote buying.

In response, the state government, through Information Commissioner-designate Ahmed Maiyaki, dismissed the accusations as “baseless, mischievous, and a desperate attempt to mask an impending loss.” Flanked by Commissioner for Local Government, Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, Maiyaki said recent poorly attended rallies by the coalition had already shown they lacked public support. He maintained that INEC alone is responsible for overseeing elections and accused the opposition of trying to implicate the government in their own political failures.

Maiyaki pointed out that while the opposition was raising false alarms, Governor Sani was busy flagging off infrastructure projects, such as the Romi–Karatudu Township Roads in Chikun. He lauded the governor’s inclusive governance and popularity, saying it had brought peace and development to Kaduna State. He urged residents to ignore the coalition’s “diversionary tactics” and vote peacefully.

Meanwhile, Mamman-Lagos also denied claims of unlawful deductions from local government funds. As the bye-elections in key constituencies loom, the stakes are high for both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties. While the ADC/SDP coalition warns of possible electoral malpractice, the state government insists the allegations are mere theatrics to cushion an expected defeat, shifting focus to INEC and security agencies to ensure a transparent and credible election.