Kaduna Govt Dismisses Rigging Allegations Ahead of By-Elections
The Kaduna State Government has denied allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) coalition of plotting to rig the upcoming by-elections in the state.
The coalition, at a press briefing in Kaduna, accused the government of recruiting over 4,000 thugs, bribing electoral officials, and creating a multi-billion-naira fund to compromise the polls in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and the Zaria and Sabon-Gari State Constituencies.
They claimed each of the 23 local governments contributed ₦30 million, with an additional ₦4.8 billion allegedly provided from Abuja, for vote-buying and inducements—including offers of land to senior Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials.
In response, the state government described the claims as “baseless” and “laughable lies,” accusing the coalition of desperation and attempting to preempt an electoral loss. It maintained that election conduct is the sole responsibility of INEC and warned that legal action may be taken over the allegations.
The government also pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects, such as road construction in Chikun Local Government, as evidence of Governor Uba Sani’s focus on development and inclusive governance.
The by-elections are scheduled for Saturday, with INEC assuring that measures are in place for a free and fair process.
