ADC, SDP Accuse Kaduna APC Government of Plotting to Sabotage Upcoming Bye-Elections

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have jointly accused the Kaduna State Government, led by the All Progressives Congress (APC), of plotting to sabotage the upcoming bye-elections in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and the State Constituencies of Zaria and Sabon-Gari.

Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, ADC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Hon. Jafaru Ibrahim Sani, alongside Elder Patrick Ambut, ADC Kaduna State Chairman, and Hon. Nasiru Maikano, SDP Kaduna State Chairman, alleged a wide-ranging plot by the APC government to manipulate the electoral process in its favour.

According to the coalition, the planned sabotage includes the deployment of over 4,000 political thugs to polling units and collation centres to intimidate voters, opposition supporters, and electoral officials.

The coalition also accused the Kaduna State Government of attempting to compromise officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through inducements, including the allocation of land and other material benefits. It alleged that secret meetings had been held between senior government officials and INEC personnel to influence the conduct of the elections.

In addition, the opposition parties claimed that each of the state’s 23 local government areas had been directed to contribute ₦30 million to an “election sabotage fund,” with an additional ₦4.8 billion allegedly provided from federal sources to finance vote-buying, manipulation of electoral officers, and the deployment of security operatives to suppress voters. A former senator, whom the coalition described as having a record of involvement in electoral violence, has reportedly been tasked with coordinating the funds.

“These actions are a direct assault on the integrity of the electoral process and the rights of the people of Kaduna State to freely choose their representatives,” the statement said.

The coalition further accused local government officials in Kudan, Soba, and Zaria of planning attacks on opposition campaign events and disrupting their scheduled political activities.

As a result, the ADC and SDP have called on INEC to guarantee the neutrality of its officials and ensure the immediate replacement of any compromised staff. They also urged security agencies to resist any attempts at political manipulation and to uphold their duty to protect citizens and maintain law and order during the election period.

The statement called for the investigation and possible prosecution of state government officials allegedly involved in recruiting thugs and orchestrating election violence, warning that failure to act could lead to unrest.

“We call on all relevant authorities, including INEC and the security agencies, to take these allegations seriously and act decisively to prevent any attempt to undermine the credibility of the bye-elections scheduled for Saturday, August 16,” the statement added.

The APC has not yet responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.