Some observers groups of the March 9, 2019 elections in Kaduna State have faulted the victory of the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, in the governorship poll.
The groups, led by Prof. Banake Sambo of the Initiative for the Promotion of Civic Obligation and Sustainable Peace, said on Friday at a news conference that the election was marred by irregularities.
However, Sambo said the groups would not call for the cancellation of the poll based on the irregularities.
At the news conference attended by Sani Umar of The Integrity Friends for Truth and peace initiative; Dr. Usman Kabiru, representing the Centre for Strategy Ethics and Value; and Felicia Kwawo of Women Empowerment for Global Impact Initiative, Sambo alleged massive vote-buying at polling units in Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Ikara and Kubau, where el-Rufai got substantial votes.
He said card readers were not used for the election in some polling units in 10 LGAs.
He listed the LGAs as Giwa, Zaria, Sabon-Gari, Ikara, Lere, Igabi, Soba, Kaduna South and Kaduna North.
He also alleged that incidents of ballot box snatching were recorded in 13 polling units in Birnin-Gwari LGA.
Sambo said: “However, no loss of life was reported anywhere as a result of electoral violence.
“Instances of voters and agents being intimidated and violent acts aided by the military were noted in Kwasallo Ward in Soba LGA.
“The military, led by senior local council officials, disrupted voting, unleashed terror and carted away ballot boxes in some of the polling units in Ikara, Fala, Sayasaya, Kurmin Kogi, Rumi Auchan, Kuya, Paki, Jamfalan and Saulawa Wards in Ikara LGA.
“Some of our observers were attacked.”
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