The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), on Saturday, condemned calls for the cancellation of the recent bye-elections in Shanono/Bagwai and the re-run in Ghari constituencies of Kano State, describing such demands as baseless and misleading.

The party noted that the elections were free, fair, credible, and peaceful, with its candidates winning overwhelmingly as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party has also applauded the people of Kano State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and members of the security agencies for ensuring a credible voting exercise during the bye-election and the re-run.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP, said the claim by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, alleging violence during the polls, was frivolous and not supported by facts on the ground.

He said: “NNPP was unequivocal in its assertion that the Shanono/Bagwai and Ghari constituencies bye-election and re-run were free, fair, credible, and peaceful, adding that being an NNPP stronghold, it was unimaginable that the result could have been otherwise.

“So, the baseless cries of alleged violence as stated by Felix Morka are frivolous, clearly misplaced, bereft of facts, and did not reflect the reality of the election.

“We must state unequivocally that there were no widespread irregularities at the election contrary to the misleading narrative by the APC.

“Of course, it should be clear to all and sundry that Kano generally is the stronghold of the NNPP and it is therefore inconceivable that the APC could have won the election. And the electoral history and outcomes in recent times in Kano State attest to this reality and conviction.

“The results ought to be validated by the INEC and those who conducted the election will judge the same as free, fair, credible, and validly won by NNPP candidates, because they were.”

He further applauded the people of Kano, INEC officials, and security agencies for ensuring a credible voting process, while commending voters for resisting what it described as the antics of “enemies of democracy.”

Recalling the 2023 general elections, the NNPP alleged that some APC elements had incited violence, including an incident where its secretariat in Tudun-Wada Local Government was set ablaze.

He, however, noted that thanks to the vigilance of security agencies, the recent bye-election was conducted peacefully.

He added, “The NNPP recalls the activities of these people, which resulted in the death of some members of the NNPP when a member of the National Assembly was alleged to have led some thugs to the Secretariat of NNPP in Tudun-Wada Local Government Area during the 2023 general election and set it ablaze.

“But kudos to the vigilance of the security agencies, such a situation did not repeat itself today during the bye-election in Kano State, as the process went on smoothly without any violence whatsoever.

“The NNPP hereby salutes the patriotism of the INEC officials who conducted the election and the security agencies for demonstrating absolute professionalism and courage.

“The credibility of today’s bye-election has been attested to by both the leadership of the INEC and the Police in Kano State. In simple terms, the election in Kano State went smoothly without any violence.

“NNPP is therefore urging Nigerians and the international community to disregard any claim of violence in today’s bye-election in Kano State.”