Isa Mohammed Ashiru, Kaduna State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2023 elections, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement agencies to ensure free, fair and credible conduct of the August 16 bye-elections in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Zaria Kewaye State Constituency, and Basawa State Constituency.
In a statement, he also called on all stakeholders to ensure that the credibility of the exercise was not compromised by playing their part towards the success of the exercise.
According to him, “The responsibility for the conduct of free and fair elections in the three constituencies should be patriotically discharged by all the relevant organs.”
He explained that electoral officials and security agencies must create a conducive condition that allow eligible voters to exercise their rights without intimidation, adding that they should take practical steps to allay the existing fears that the outcome of the elections may have been predetermined.
He expressed concern over allegations of planned rigging in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ashiru believed that only a transparent process can produce leaders accepted by the people.
He stated that it was totally important for the electoral umpire and the law enforcers to realize the fact that the irreducible minimum for all Nigerians now was the conduct of transparent elections, which was the only guarantee for the emergence of credible leadership at all levels.
