KADUNA, Nigeria – August 14, 2025 — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kaduna State have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government of orchestrating a large-scale plot to sabotage the forthcoming bye-elections in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and state constituencies in Sabon Gari and Zaria.
At a joint press conference on Thursday, ADC National Vice Chairman (North-West) Hon. Jafaru Ibrahim Sani, ADC Kaduna State Chairman Elder Patrick Ambut, and SDP Kaduna State Chairman Hon. Nasiru Maikano alleged that the APC administration is “unelectable” and intent on winning through intimidation, vote-buying, and manipulation of electoral processes rather than fair competition.
According to the coalition, their intelligence reveals that:
1. 4,000 political thugs have allegedly been recruited from within and outside the state to harass voters, opposition members, and election officials at polling units and collation centres.
2. INEC officials are being compromised through inducements such as allocations of land and other benefits, with meetings allegedly held between senior election personnel and top Kaduna State government officials.
3. The 23 local government councils have been compelled to contribute ₦30 million each to an “election sabotage fund,” supplemented by about ₦4.8 billion reportedly sourced from Abuja for vote-buying, security compromise, and disruption of the polls.
The coalition further claimed that a former senator, described as “notorious for electoral violence,” has been tasked with managing the sabotage funds, while a serving Commissioner for Local Government Affairs is allegedly leading the operational coordination of the plan.
They warned that such acts threaten the integrity of the electoral process and the peace of Kaduna State.
“We are calling on INEC to guarantee the neutrality of its officials, replace compromised personnel, and ensure the will of the voters is respected,” the coalition leaders stated. “Security agencies must not be complicit in violating citizens’ rights, but instead protect voters, campaigners, and polling officials on election day.”
The ADC-SDP coalition also called for the investigation and prosecution of any government officials found to be recruiting thugs or sponsoring election violence, while pledging to hold their own supporters accountable should they engage in similar conduct.
The Kaduna State Government and the APC leadership in the state have yet to respond to these allegations.
