Ex-Gov Shema expresses disappointment

Thugs, yesterday, set on fire election materials in Bakori Local Council of Katsina state. The thugs, who reportedly stormed the State Independent Electoral Commission (KTSIEC) office in the area in the morning, overpowered security personnel guarding the materials and carted away the materials, which they later set on fire.

A viral video circulating on social media confirmed the action. Governor Aminu Masari had dissolved council executives, after forming government in 2015, over alleged misappropriation of public funds.

Yesterday’s election had 12 political parties on the ballot, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Despite restriction of human and vehicular movement in the state from 6:00a.m. to 6:00p.m., it was business-as-usual, as people and vehicles were seen freely about moving, in the state capital and its environs. Both the police and KTSIEC were yet to comment on the Bakori incident as at time of this report.

MEANWHILE, former Governor Ibrahim Shema has expressed disappointment over conduct of the council election.
Shema, who spoke with journalists at his residence in Dutsinma Local Council, yesterday, lamented that the exercise conducted by KTSIEC and was marred by irregularities.

The former governor, who said reports reaching him showed that several polling units didn’t have result sheets, alleged that some government officials were colluding with KTSIEC personnel to influence the outcome of the exercise.

He alleged that a government official brought in thugs from the forest into his local council, to rig the election in favour of a major political party.

Shema wondered why such shabby election could be held in President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state, even as he called on the President to call those concerned to order.

His words: “Let me say clearly that I am hugely disappointed with the APC administration in the state, and this is President Buhari’s state.”