The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has rejected the outcome of the re-run elections in Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituencies, alleging widespread irregularities, violence, and voter intimidation.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday in Kano, the state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Kibiya, described the exercise as “totally devoid of democratic principles.” He accused political thugs of disrupting the process and intimidating eligible voters, calling the elections “a charade.”

Kibiya urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee a level playing field for all political parties, warning that the credibility of the electoral process was at stake. He also called on security agencies to protect voters, maintain peace, and prevent violence during elections.

The PDP chairman further advised political leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and demanded investigations into alleged electoral breaches, with prosecution of offenders to deter future misconduct.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Police Command announced the arrest of 288 suspected thugs during the elections. Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Bakori disclosed the figure in Shanono Local Government Area, adding that investigations were ongoing and that those found culpable would be prosecuted.

The Oyo by-election took a dramatic turn on Saturday as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Femi Dexter Akin-Alamu, accused rival politicians of orchestrating massive vote buying to sway the outcome.

Speaking moments after casting his ballot at Ward 11, Polling Unit 38, University of Ibadan, Akin-Alamu alleged that voters across the Ibadan North Federal Constituency were being lured with cash and other inducements in exchange for their votes.

“This is a direct assault on democracy,” he declared, warning that such acts strip elections of credibility and erode the people’s trust in democratic institutions.

The ADC candidate described the scale of the malpractice as alarming, insisting that it reflects a dangerous trend where money, rather than the will of the people, decides leadership.

While commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth conduct of the exercise and the prompt arrival of voting materials, Akin-Alamu lamented the poor voter turnout, describing it as another setback for democracy in the state.

“This combination of vote buying and voter apathy is troubling—it weakens the very foundation of our democracy,” he said.

No fewer than 100 suspected political thugs were arrested on Saturday while attempting to disrupt the by-election in the Bagwai/Shanono constituency of Kano State.

The arrest followed heavy deployment of security personnel, including operatives of the Nigerian Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who mounted barricades at entry points to the constituency.

Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ambassador Abdu Zango, confirmed the development to journalists at the INEC local government headquarters in Bagwai.