By Abdullahi Jalalludeen
The Kano State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed deep concern over the conduct of the just concluded bye-election for the Shanono/Bagwai State Assembly seat held on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
The party said the process, which followed the death of the former representative last year, should have been transparent and credible, but was instead marred by intimidation and thuggery.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Yusuf Ado Kibiya, the PDP condemned reports of violence and other actions it described as dangerous to democracy.
The party warned that the use or threat of violence to influence voters and outcomes not only endangered lives but also eroded public confidence in democratic institutions.
The PDP rejected what it called attempts by some vested interests to manipulate the electoral process to their advantage.
It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a level playing field for all 10 political parties that participated in the election, stressing the need for timely deployment of materials and effective enforcement of electoral rules.
The statement further urged security agencies to protect voters, guarantee peaceful assembly, and clamp down on intimidation, vote-buying, or any form of electoral violence.
The PDP also called on the Kano State Government and national leaders to avoid inflammatory remarks and actions that could heighten political tension, while urging the authorities to investigate reported violations and bring culprits to justice.
The party equally tasked civil society groups, media organizations, and election observers to continue monitoring the process and reporting anomalies, saying their independent assessments would promote transparency and accountability in the system.
It maintained that issue-based campaigns and respect for the rule of law remain the only path to credible elections.
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