The All Progressive Congress (APC) aspirant for Jahun Jigawa State House of Assembly aspirant in the recently-conducted party primary election has petitioned the State Assembly Primary Election Appeals Committee of the party, alleging foul play in the election.
Alhaji Jamilu Muhammadu Danmalam alleged that the Speaker of State House of Assembly, Idris Garba Kareka, ‘manipulated’ the conduct of the election at Jahun.
In the petition copied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies, Danmalam alleged that the Speaker, who was also an aspirant for the seat, used his influence and power to manipulate the conduct of the primary election held on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Jahun local government area of Jigawa state.
He narrated in the petition: “A list of 55 delegates was compiled, 5 from each of the 11 political wards of the local government following their election, and was submitted to the state Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its perusal in accordance with the electoral law.”
Danmalam alleged: “However, on Thursday, May 26, 2022, the scheduled date for the APC governorship and state House of Assembly primary elections, just as arrangements were concluded to commence the accreditation of delegates, the presiding officer deployed to handle the conduct and supervision of the election, Usman Baita ‘Yalleman, started calling names from a different list; the names of which did not relate with the one earlier agreed upon and submitted to INEC”.
He narrated: “The delegates and other observers raised concerns, stating that the list which the presiding officer was reading from was not the one known to the elected delegates, the leadership of the party and INEC.
“With people expressing their displeasure over the alteration of the list, the Speaker Jigawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Idris Garba Kareka, sauntered into the election venue (the Duplex House of Jahun Local Government Chairman) at around 4:34pm along with security operatives and political thugs.
They fired tear gas and scared off the delegates, officials and other people who gathered at the election venue, tearing some of the election materials, particularly the ballot papers”.
