On Thursday, the Kaduna State Government characterised former governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai as a disheartened politician seeking to drag others into his decline. The government asserted that Kaduna is vibrant and progressing, dismissing El-Rufai’s attempts, along with his allies in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to disrupt this narrative.
In response to accusations from the ADC and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) regarding alleged election rigging ahead of the upcoming bye-elections in Chikun/Kajuru and Zaria, the state government firmly rejected such claims. The ADC coalition, led by Jafaru Sani, had accused the government of intending to deploy thugs and engage in vote-buying.
Kaduna State’s Information Commissioner, Ahmed Maiyaki, labelled these allegations as unfounded and a desperate move by a coalition aware of its impending defeat. He reiterated the resilience of democracy in Kaduna, asserting that El-Rufai’s remnants from the ADC could not alter this reality.
Maiyaki also refuted claims that local government funds were being misappropriated for the elections and highlighted that the conduct of elections is solely the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He emphasised the government’s commitment to defending its reputation against baseless accusations and announced that legal action might be pursued regarding these allegations.
