Kebbi LG election: NGO decries use of money, violence

The Kebbi Development Forum, a non-governmental organization, has decried what it described as use of money, violence, armtwisting, disenfranchisement, lack of voters education and the restriction of campaigns to urban centres during the just concluded council election in the state.

The forum’s chairman for voters education and election committee and immediate past head of service in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Udu Idris, said during a news conference at the organization’s secretariat in Birnin Kebbi the forum observed many cases of voters inducements by contestants and party stalwarts across the 21 local government areas where election took place.

“We also observed cases where election was conducted and completed between 10 am and 11 am. There were cases where returning officers absconded at the point of compilation and declaration of results in Kangiwa and Argungu,” he said.

He added that the forum also received credible reports of electoral officials being compromised in Yauri, Shanga, Gwandu, Zuru, Suru, Bagudo, Dandi and Birnin Kebbi. To guard against future occurrence it recommended that political parties must accord priority attention to the conduct of their primaries.’

It also advised that the funding of the state electoral commission (KESIEC) should be placed on first line charge to enhance its independence and insulate it from any outside influence.

It also charged security agents to partner with civil society organizations in monitoring violence and must remain neutral in future election in the state.

“We call strongly on all political parties and their respective members and good people of Kebbi to continue to demonstrate the political maturity we are known for to sustain our cherished peace and security,” the forum said.