By Our Correspondent
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed concern over what it described as a plot to deploy illegal armed volunteers, known locally as Yansakai, in today’s by-election for the Kaura Namoda South State Constituency.
The election is to fill the vacant seat in the State House of Assembly. Political watchers say the contest is crucial, as both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are battling for influence in a state long troubled by insecurity and political rivalry.
In a statement issued in Gusau, the APC’s State Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris, alleged that desperate politicians were scheming to involve unrecognized security outfits in the electoral process.
“There were plans for the engagement of illegal security outfits in the election process by some desperate politicians,” Idris said.
He further claimed that unusual movements of suspected miscreants had been observed ahead of the polls.
“We have noticed the movement of some suspected miscreants in the state for them to participate in the forthcoming bye-election for Kaura Namoda South state assembly constituency,” he alleged.
The APC spokesman warned that such actions posed a serious threat to voter safety, accusing the PDP of plotting to use violence as a tool.
“This is an alarming situation used by the PDP in their desperate move to forcefully ensure that their candidate is declared the winner at the end of the election, no matter who gets wounded or killed,” Idris maintained.
He urged security agencies to act decisively to protect the integrity of the election, insisting that only constitutionally recognized forces such as the police, the State Security Service (SSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) should be involved.
Meanwhile, the PDP swiftly dismissed the allegations.
The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Halliru Andi, described the APC’s position as baseless and unfounded.
“All the allegations by the APC against the PDP are not true,” Andi stated.
He accused the APC of attempting to create fear and discredit the process ahead of the polls.
“They are false claims made out of fear and desperation to win the polls,” he added.
Andi further urged Zamfara residents and security authorities to disregard the APC’s allegations, which he described as distractions aimed at inciting unrest.
The bye-election comes at a time when Zamfara continues to grapple with insecurity, particularly from armed groups that have over the years terrorized rural communities. Analysts say the credibility and safety of the electoral process in such a volatile environment will be a major test for both political actors and security agencies.
