APC Commends Voter Turnout in Zamfara By-Election, Raises Concerns Over Security Outfit

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters during Saturday’s state assembly by-election in Kaura Namoda South Constituency.

Speaking to journalists at Kasuwar-Daji Primary School Polling Unit, the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Yusuf Idris, described the voter participation as “large and commendable,” adding that the electoral process was generally peaceful and orderly.

“We have been here since morning, monitoring the election.
The process is peaceful, and we commend officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for arriving early at the polling units and conducting themselves responsibly,” Idris said.

He also lauded the timely presence of security personnel, which he said helped maintain law and order.

“As a party, we cautioned our members to remain peaceful and orderly during the exercise. We are hoping that the process will remain peaceful till the end,” he added.

However, Idris raised concerns about the presence of personnel from the Community Protection Guard (CPG), a state-owned security outfit, alleging their interference in the electoral process despite a police ban on local security groups during elections.

“I see no reason why CPG personnel should be allowed around the election venue. We urge security agencies to take note of this to avoid any disruption of the process,” he stressed.

In a swift response, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal on Media, Malam Jafaru-Kaura, dismissed the allegation, describing it as baseless.

Speaking at Magaji Polling Unit in Maguru Town, he said, “Since we came here, I have not seen any CPG personnel. The state government did not deploy any CPG personnel to the polling units.”

Jafaru-Kaura also affirmed that the by-election had so far been conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

“We have been here since morning, we have no record of any violence, and the election is moving on smoothly,” he said.

The by-election in Kaura Namoda South Constituency was closely monitored by both party officials and observers, with INEC and security agencies commended for their early deployment and orderly conduct.