News

Tensions Rise in Edo and Kaduna as Opposition Flags Alleged Electoral Manipulation

Published by Tope Fakinlede on August 16th, 2025.

Tensions Rise in Edo and Kaduna as Opposition Flags Alleged Electoral Manipulation

Widespread concerns over potential electoral malpractice have cast a dark cloud over the upcoming by-elections in Edo and Kaduna States, scheduled for Saturday, August 16. Opposition parties and independent observers are raising alarm over what they describe as coordinated plans to manipulate the vote, sideline opposition agents, and deploy intimidation tactics against voters.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed these allegations, but fears of vote-rigging have heightened public skepticism about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.

Accusations Surface Ahead of Edo By-Elections

In Abuja, the Coalition of Observer Groups in Nigeria issued a strongly worded statement accusing the APC of plotting to compromise the elections in Edo Central Senatorial District and the Ovia Federal Constituency. According to the coalition’s chairman, Comrade Simon Diogu, the group has received what it called “credible intelligence” pointing to the preparation of pre-filled result sheets, the use of law enforcement to obstruct opposition agents from accessing collation centres, and intimidation through the deployment of political thugs.

These alleged tactics mirror those the group previously highlighted during the September 2024 Edo State governorship election—an election that left many voters disillusioned following unresolved disputes over the legitimacy of results and alleged irregularities during collation.

“If the same electoral misconduct is repeated, it will not only deepen distrust in the process but also jeopardize Nigeria’s democratic future,” the coalition warned.

A senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, who requested anonymity, claimed that election results are already being “prepared” within the state Government House. He alleged that security forces, particularly the police, are being mobilized to block opposition access to key collation venues.

The PDP figure also raised red flags about the return of two controversial Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials — Suleiman Blessing and Williams Alamina — both of whom allegedly played contentious roles in the 2024 governorship election. “If they succeed again, then Nigerians should forget about credible elections in 2027,” the party leader warned.

The coalition has called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to distance himself from threats allegedly issued by his supporters on social media and to demonstrate his commitment to peaceful and transparent elections in his role as Chief Security Officer of the state.

Allegations of Electoral Sabotage in Kaduna

In Kaduna State, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have accused the state government of orchestrating a large-scale effort to rig the by-elections in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and in the Sabon Gari and Zaria state constituencies.

According to both parties, the ruling APC has allegedly recruited over 4,000 thugs from within and outside the state to harass voters and disrupt the electoral process. The parties further claimed that key INEC staff have been bribed with lucrative incentives, including plots of land.

Most shockingly, the opposition alleges that each of the 23 local government areas in the state has been pressured to contribute ₦30 million toward a central “election interference fund.” In addition, ₦4.8 billion is reportedly being channeled from Abuja to finance vote buying, compromise electoral officers, and co-opt security agencies.

The two parties named a current commissioner and a former senator, previously linked to election violence, as central figures in the alleged plot to hijack the process.

INEC, Police Under Pressure to Respond

Election observers and opposition groups across both states are now calling for immediate action from INEC to safeguard the credibility of the polls. Their demands include the reassignment of allegedly compromised officials, a transparent and verifiable collation process, and proper security arrangements to protect voters and party agents.

As of now, neither INEC nor the Nigerian Police has issued a formal resp

onse to the mounting allegations.