The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the outcome of Saturday’s by-election in the Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency, describing it as a “charade” and calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the exercise.

The party accused the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of hijacking the process through violence and intimidation, alleging that thugs armed with dangerous weapons were deployed to manipulate the election.

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, claimed that the NNPP imported armed thugs from neighbouring states and countries to disrupt the poll.

According to him, despite a peace accord signed ahead of the exercise, the NNPP mobilised thugs across states to foment violence.

“On the day of the election, as early as 5am, Shanono and Bagwai local government areas were invaded by thousands of armed thugs wielding dangerous weapons, including guns, allegedly recruited from Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and beyond,” Ata alleged.

He said residents who sighted strange faces in their communities fled to neighbouring Gwarzo and Bichi councils in fear. He also claimed the APC candidate was attacked at his residence.

Ata further alleged that ballot papers and result sheets were hijacked by NNPP supporters, who stuffed ballots and allocated votes to their party in the absence of genuine voters.

“The people of Bagwai/Shanono, who have been patiently waiting for the by-election since the demise of their representative, Hon. Halilu Ibrahim Kundila, in April last year, were disenfranchised, traumatised and chased away from their homes,” he said.

The minister urged INEC to annul the exercise and fix a fresh date for a free, fair, and transparent election. He also called on security agencies to prosecute those arrested in connection with the violence.

While appealing to APC supporters to remain calm, Ata stressed that the integrity of the electoral process must be protected.

“How can we claim to uphold democracy when citizens are chased away from their homes hours before the election? An election marred by violence is no election at all,” he queried.