Confusion and tension gripped the African Democratic Congress in Jigawa State on Wednesday as allegations of irregularities, violence and malpractice forced officials to suspend the collation of primaries for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential tickets indefinitely.
The Chief Returning Officer, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Zaki Ahmed, who was sent from the ADC national headquarters to oversee the exercise, announced the suspension to journalists at the Tashir Guests Palace in Dutse, the venue of the collation exercise, saying unresolved complaints and irregularities made it impossible to continue.
“Results had been received from 19 out of the 27 local government areas, while officials were still awaiting submissions from Auyo, Roni and Kazaure councils,” he disclosed.
Ahmed said the exercise was marred by serious infractions in several areas.
“There were reports of irregularities and malpractice in some local governments, while Gwaram witnessed threats of violence capable of disrupting the process completely,” he said.
