The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of using state-supported security forces to intimidate voters and manipulate the results of the by-election for the Zamfara State House of Assembly in the Kaura Namoda South Constituency. During a press conference on Wednesday, the PDP claimed that the by-election, held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, was plagued by harassment and voter suppression allegedly executed by security personnel under APC’s direction. The PDP presented photo and video evidence showing instances of voter violence and the removal of ballot boxes by heavily armed officers who reportedly cited “orders from above.” The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the election was inconclusive in five polling units: Alko/Shiyar Kudu PU (Sakajiki Ward), Shiyar Magaji/Kofar Hamza PU (Kyambarawa Ward), Shiyar Nufawa/Kofar MD Nuhu PU (Sakajiki Ward), Tukasu/Sabuwar Kasuwa PU (Kyambarawa Ward), and Kofar Fada/Shiyar Fada PU (Kyambarawa Ward). The PDP argued that this decision was a tactic to allow the APC to skew the results during the re-run election set for Thursday, August 21, 2025. Furthermore, the party accused a current Zamfara State minister of orchestrating the mobilization of “full battalions” from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Mobile Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to these polling units. The PDP viewed this as an effort to create a “siege mentality” among voters, hindering their constitutional right to vote. They stated that intelligence reports indicated that the APC planned to use security forces to intimidate and prevent INEC officials from ensuring a free and fair election, while aiding the APC in declaring results that do not genuinely reflect the people’s will. The PDP warned that this situation poses a “clear and present danger” to Nigeria’s democracy and stability, asserting that the people of Zamfara are “not conquered” and will resist efforts to undermine their mandate. The PDP called on both Nigerians and the international community to observe the unfolding situation, describing the APC’s use of state-level intimidation as indicative of rising totalitarianism and ambitions for a one-party state. The party urged domestic and international observers to hold the APC accountable should any violence or disorder occur in Kaura Namoda or elsewhere in Zamfara State, reiterating that they would reject any election outcomes that do not align with the verified votes reflecting the electorate’s wishes.
