Middle Belt Forum Raises Alarm Over Kaduna Local Government Elections, Calls For Governor’s Intervention
KADUNA/Nigeria: The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna State Chapter, has voiced strong concerns regarding a widely circulated video that appears to feature the Chairman of the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KAD-SIECOM), Hajia Hajara Mohammed, announcing the results of the recently conducted local government elections.
In a statement issued on 20th October 2024 and signed by its Chairman, Luka Binniyat, the MBF expressed serious doubts about the authenticity of the elections, particularly in the Southern Kaduna region, which comprises 12 local government areas (LGAs) where many of its members were contesting for office.
The 60-second video shows Hajia Mohammed declaring that elections were held across all 255 wards in Kaduna’s 23 LGAs, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) sweeping all the Chairmanship positions and winning all Councillors’ seats. However, the MBF argues that no elections took place in Southern Kaduna, casting doubt on the validity of the announced results.
“The video is already spreading like wildfire on both traditional and social media platforms,” Binniyat stated. “However, from all our reports, elections did not hold in the overwhelming majority of Southern Kaduna. Election materials arrived late and were incomplete, with crucial documents like result sheets missing. This caused the electorate to refuse participation, suspecting foul play.”
The Middle Belt Forum, which represents communities from the southern part of Kaduna State and other non-indigenes from the old Northern Nigeria, expressed particular concern over what it described as the fabrication of results. “No valid results could have been declared, as no election process was followed in accordance with the KAD-SIECOM law,” the forum emphasised, pointing to social media posts that falsely attributed votes to candidates despite no votes being cast.
In its strongly worded statement, the MBF urged Governor Uba Sani to intervene, warning that allowing the purported results to stand would seriously damage his reputation for fairness and inclusivity. “We had hoped that Governor Sani, unlike his predecessor Nasir el-Rufai, would ensure a transparent and democratic process. Ironically, even under el-Rufai, local government elections were largely free and fair in Southern Kaduna,” Binniyat noted.
The forum condemned the growing trend of political manipulation in local government elections, describing it as “electoral brigandry” and a dangerous affront to democracy. They cautioned Governor Sani that Kaduna’s complex and volatile political landscape demands responsible leadership, and urged him to take decisive action to prevent further unrest.
Among their recommendations, the MBF called for an amendment to the KAD-SIECOM law to impose harsh penalties on those involved in electoral malpractice, including imprisonment for officials found guilty. They also called on Governor Sani to critically review the conduct of the elections and take corrective measures to preserve trust in the democratic process.
As a final note, the Middle Belt Forum urged its members to remain calm and pursue all available legal options to challenge the results. “While some may celebrate the supposed outcome, we advise caution given the controversy. If these results are allowed to stand, it sets a dangerous precedent for 2027 and poses a significant threat to the future of our democracy,” the statement concluded.
The call for peace and legal action underscores the Forum’s commitment to a democratic resolution while casting a spotlight on the tensions arising from the contested local government elections.
