The Kaduna State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edward Masha, has denied rumors that he called for a boycott of today’s Local Government elections, which are set to take place in all 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

In an interview with newsmen in Kafanchan, the headquarters of Jema’a Local Government Area, Masha clarified that his office neither made nor endorsed any call for a boycott.

He explained that while PDP agents were inspecting sensitive materials at the SIECOM office in Kaduna, they noticed the absence of one critical item—the result sheets—marking it as an anomaly.

Masha stated, “Two weeks ago, I raised the alarm over plans by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the elections by sneaking in a clause into the SIECOM election guidelines that would alter the process of announcing election results.”

He said that the PDP would insist on the inclusion of all sensitive materials to ensure a fair electoral process, lamenting that the ruling party’s display of electoral fraud indicated an attack on democracy in Kaduna State.

He urged all PDP members to come out en masse to vote and to refrain from actions that could disrupt the peace.

Reports on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicated that as of 7:30 a.m., the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) office was locked, leaving ad-hoc staff looking helpless. Many residents of Kaduna expressed disappointment over the late arrival of electoral officials and materials at polling centers, criticizing KADSIECOM for the situation.

KADSIECOM had scheduled the elections for Saturday in all 23 LGAs. However, a check by NAN revealed that prospective voters began arriving at polling units as early as 7 a.m. but found no KADSIECOM officials or election materials present by 9 a.m.

Disappointed voters, including youths and women, were seen discussing the unfortunate developments while a limited number of security agents were stationed at strategic locations.

Mrs. Abigail Musa, a resident of Narayi, expressed her frustration at the LEA Narayi polling station, saying, “It’s rather saddening as you can see a lot of people with enthusiasm but are shocked as this is rather unusual.”

Mr. Sani Bege from the Ungwan Sunday polling station reported that people had gathered as early as 6:30 a.m. and were still waiting for the election to begin. “We just hope that the whole effort will not be futile, as there are already alleged planned malpractices,” he added.

Mr. Jamiu Mohammed of Barnawa Secondary School polling unit noted that the community was growing increasingly agitated. “As you can see, the youths are already anxious and are becoming impatient, and no explanation is coming from any quarters,” he said.