El-Rufai desperate to rig elections, CUPP alleges

Coalition of United Political Parties, (CUPP) on Tuesday alleged that, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is desperate to use his state sponsored security operatives to manipulate and rig the forthcoming elections.

The coalition made the allegation at a press briefing in Kaduna, noting that Governor El-Rufai in his desperation to manipulate the elections recently inaugurated a new security operatives in the guise of ‘Kaduna State Local Government Safety and Emergency Management Volunteers,’ which he intended to use as Polling Unit Guards.

The state Chairman of CUPP, Hon. Umar Ibrahim Mairakumi while addressing pressman hinted that the governor is working hard to obtain approval from INEC and to influence the Kaduna State Police Command to accept his state sponsored Kaduna Vigilante Services popularly known as “Kato da Gora,” as part of the election security team.

Noting that any attempt to manipulate the forthcoming elections will be resisted,  Mairakumi however  called on all security agencies and Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to ensure that the process and conduct of the 2019 general election is not only free and fair but credible and in line with international best practices.

In another development, Governor El-Rufai, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon. Isa Ashiru Kudan, and other governorship candidates had earlier signed a Peace Accord to ensure a conduct of free, fair and credible elections and a peaceful transition of political power.

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The gubernatorial candidates signed the peace deal at the Kaduna State Police Command Headquarters

The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Abdulrahman whom in his remarks assured that the security agents will be firm and fair while discharging their duties, told the politicians at the gathering that winning election into public office should not be a desperate task.

The CP who called on all and sundry to partner with the security agencies in ensuring a hitch-free campaign and violence-free elections added that: “violence free election is a fundamental means to sustainable peace and development.”

He said: “the Peace Accord signifies our respective commitment to peace and symbolizes respect for the rule of law.

“I want to suggest that, candidates and supporters must accept the outcome as announced by the constituted authorities, rather than make trouble because the results are not in one’s favour.

“Let us prepare our minds to accept the results for the sake of our dear nation. While those who will emerge as winners must not allow themselves and their supporters when jubilating, to tease and provoke the other sides.”

In an interview with journalists shortly after the peace deal, the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Isa Ashiru called on INEC to provide a level playing ground for all political parties during the elections, adding that “they (INEC) should play the role of unbiased umpire and they should be free and fair to all.”

When asked on how the party will ensure that it supporters are law abiding, he said, “our supporters have been law abiding and we have had series of visits across the state.”