By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State has rejected the outcome of last Saturday’s Babura/Garki Federal Constituency by-election, in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner.
In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Umar Kyari Jitau, the PDP alleged widespread irregularities, accusing the APC of using state machinery to compromise the process.
“The PDP strongly rejects in totality the conduct and outcome of the Babura/Garki Federal Constituency by-election. Our party observed how the APC used state power, indulged in vote buying, intimidation, and harassment of voters during the exercise,” Jitau said.
He added that the party has begun consultations to challenge the result, vowing to reclaim what he described as a “stolen mandate.”
INEC’s official result shows the PDP polled 13,519 votes, finishing second behind the APC’s candidate who secured 38,449votes and was declared winner of the closely contested poll.
Meanwhile, the PDP has appealed to its supporters and “lovers of democracy” to remain calm while it pursues legal and political options to overturn the result.
