IGP deployed Special Forces to Zamfara to rig election results, PDP alleges

The Zamfara State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has raised the alarm that the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has deployed a team of special forces to allegedly rig the Zamfara governorship election for the ruling party.

The People’s Democratic Party in a statement on Monday in Gusau through the Dauda Lawal Media Office accused the Inspector General of conniving with Governor Bello Matawalle to rig the governorship election in his favor.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced the results of 11 local governments out of 14 local government areas of the state.

The People’s Democratic Party polled 325, 238 votes while the All-Progressive Congress polled 251, 006.

“As it stands, we have won nine local governments while the APC won two local governments. We are waiting for the official announcement of three local government areas: Kauran Namoda, Maradun, and Birnin Magaji”.

“From the announced results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), we are winning with a margin of 74,232.

“Our major concern is the interference of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba. We raised the alarm on election day that there was no police presence across the state. It was a plot by the Zamfara state commissioner of police to aid the ruling APC in manipulating the process.

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“Our verified sources have confirmed to us that the Inspector General of Police has deployed a team of special forces to Zamfara. They were flown to Sokoto from Abuja. We learned that they are in Zamfara to cause chaos and create tension in the state capital.

The statement said the team is headed by AIG Garba Umar, in-charge of Interpol, including DCP Muhd Gori, among others.

It alleged that part of their strategy is a meeting scheduled for tonight to unfold measures to carry out the alleged acts.

“The Inspector General of Police in connivance with the Zamfara state government is hellbent on manipulating the successful announcement of the result. They want to create a scene that will lead to the loss of lives and properties in Zamfara.

“We call on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmoud Yakubu to call the Zamfara State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to order. We have lost confidence in him.

“Zamfara State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) is intentionally delaying the process of the announcement of the result, giving the governor room for manipulation.

“All collated results from 14 local government areas are ready and in the state collation center. We don’t know why they are delaying the process.

“The president, security agencies, and international observers should pay close attention to the process in Zamfara state.”