The election was declared inconclusive by INEC.
APC’s State Publicity Secretary Jonathan Vatsa alleged that the commission accredited PDP mercenaries as security officials, who tried to induce voters at polling units.
In a statement in Minna, Vatsa alleged that PDP thugs resolved to ballot box snatching when it became clear that the electorate were voting for the APC candidate.
He said reports from the field indicted INEC workers at polling stations of turning a blind eye to the irregularities perpetrated by PDP members, especially in Paiko, Rafi, Gurara, Tafa and Suleja local government areas.
Vatsa said: “When they (PDP) could not rig in the township, they went to the villages, intimidated our agents with their mercenaries who paraded themselves as security men to stuff the ballot boxes, only to come and say that there would be supplementary election in a few places. What of Gurara, Suleja and Tafa where there was massive rigging?”
The APC fingered the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, in the alleged rigging plan, adding: “We are not new to the antics of the REC, who was always calling for supplementary elections and postponing elections to suit the PDP. He did the same thing in 2011 and that is why we have being calling for his removal.
“We are aware of the various moves aimed at going against the wish of the people by not allowing our candidate, David Umaru, to emerge as desired by majority of the people. We urge our supporters not to relent, but to continue to mobilise themselves ahead of Saturday for the conclusive election.”
The state government also said there was gross misconduct during the election.
In a statement after a PDP stakeholders’ meeting, Mr Israel Ebije, the chief press secretary to Governor Babangida Aliyu, said many eligible voters were disenfranchised for frivolous reasons and thugs took over some polling units.
He called for more security operatives at the affected units during the re-run on Saturday.
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