The Center For Strategic Conflict Management who were accredited as an Observer Group in the Just concluded Kano Reruns and Supplementary Elections in Shannon/Bagwai, have described the outcome of the elections as nothing but a Shenanigans which must be cancelled.
Speaking Professor Mohammed Dauda Mukthar who speaks on behalf of the Center, Tuesday at BUK Old side Campus, explained that, Prior to the Election on Saturday, Friday precisely, there have been massive and suspicious movement of persons into Shanono and environs, especially in the evening, as observed by some of our members, who were at the Shanono main motor park when they arrived late evening to spend the night against elections day the next day, Saturday 16 August.
He said, “throughout Friday night, contrary to INEC rule of banning all campaign rally 24hrs to elections was floured as men, in mostly red headgears were moving round with dangerous weapons and seemingly chanting derogatory campaign slogans.
“There appears to be a WELL SCRIPTED AND PLANNED line of activities, because of the similarities between what happened as reported in Bagwai, and Shanono,” adding that, “on Saturday, 16, August, 2025 on Election day. Our members deployed observed that armed thugs chased APC supporters from their homes and polling units to allow opposition parties to manipulate the ballot papers.
“Armed thugs, with dangerous weapons were present in most polling units, intimidating voters who remained, thereby deterring many from casting their votes. Many voters had to flee eventually for fear of injuries by the Red cap mobs.”
“Unfortunately, Security agents were visibly overstretched and overwhelmed by the level of violence and intimidation, making it difficult to protect voters and maintain law and orderliness which would have allow voters right atmosphere and conducive environment to uphold their civic responsibility”, the Professor added.
He highlighted that delayed arrival of election materials compounded the situation, disrupting the voting process. Whether deliberate or not, this has contributed massively to rancorous conduct.
Professor MD Mukthar, who commended the Security said In the ensuing rancorous conduct, hundreds of armed thugs were arrested with weapons such as locally made guns, cutlasses, sticks, knives, catapults, and other dangerous items as they attempted to disrupt the election.
He notes that the situation created an atmosphere where the democratic process was undermined, with voters feeling threatened and unable to freely express their choice.
He said as INEC accredited Elections Observer, our organization, Center for Strategic Conflict Management deployed members across the 149 Polling Unit IN SHANONO, across the 10 Wards, which includes, Faruuwa ward alone has 19 polling units. These include units such as Karau Tashar Limi I & II, Karau Ta Maina I & II, multiple GSS Faruruwa Public Building units, Unguwar Tudu units, Unguwar Yamma units, Yan Awaki I & II, among others, Alajawa Ward – 9 PU, Dutsen-Bakoshi Ward – 16 PU, Gordon Dutse Ward – 15 PU, Kadamu Ward – 14 PU and Koki Ward – 10 PU.
“Our team of observers witness that, major political parties such as ADC, APC and PDP condemned the outright use of violence and intimidation, calling for investigations and cancellation of the election results.
“Hapless INEC officials and residents highlighted the difficulty in containing the violence but maintained that materials were provided and some security measures taken, which is insufficient, as voters were disillusioned ams and had to leave, Obviously, there were NO Elections held across SHANONO. Voters were chased away, despite the fact they wanted to cast their votes.
“As INEC accredited Elections Observer which is on ground in Bagwai and Shanono federal constituency during the By-Election, we have the following recommendations. Going forward, political party must sensitize their members on the conduct of orderliness in democracy, Free, fair and credible elections are the hallmarks of democracy. Without free elections, autocracy sets in.
“Voter intimidation has no place in civil rule. As witnessed in Bagwai, what happened is a rape of democracy. The fact that the constituency lacked representation at the Kano State House of Assembly as a result of the demise of it’s member Hon. Halilu Ibrahim Kundila, they had hoped for a chance to choose his replacement democratically.
“Electoral offenders must be penalized. Both sponsors and participants in electoral fraud which includes irregularities like vote-buying, voter intimidation must be punished accordingly.
He concluded that “there were NO Elections in SHANONO on Saturday 16 August 2025. What happened was a charade and shenanigans. For instance, in Faruruwa Ward in Shanono, which is the largest Ward, no elections was held. the worst level of voter intimidation occurred. Voters were even chased away by armed thugs. Videos of perpetrators are all over the internet.
“ven security agencies can attest to these conducts. As a result, we are calling for TOTAL CANCELLATION of the election because, it has NOT failed to meet the same standard requirements for elections.
However in a Counter to this position another Elections observer’s group, said INEC demonstrated commendable professionalism in the conduct of the election. Electoral materials arrived promptly in most polling units, and accreditation, voting, counting, and collation processes were carried out in substantial compliance with the electoral guidelines.
Speaking on behalf of about seven other National and International Observer’s Mr. Maxwell Peters said, election was largely peaceful, while Security agencies discharged their duties with neutrality and fairness, ensuring a secure environment for voters to exercise their franchise without intimidation.
He added that despite being a bye-election, we observed impressive turnout and enthusiasm from the people of Shanono and Bagwai. Voters displayed patience, orderliness, and determination to make their voices heard.
“The results as announced by INEC reflect the will of the people. Counting of ballots at the polling units was done in the presence of party agents, observers, and voters, with results open displayed for public verification.
“The Shanono/Bagwai bye-election of 16th August 2025 has set a positive example of how democratic elections should be conducted in Nigeria – peaceful, transparent, and credible. We urge the winning party to be magnanimous in victory and to ensure inclusive governance that addresses the needs of all constituents.”
