BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Kaduna state chapter, has accused Governor Nasiru el-Rufai of planning to use the state sponsored security outfit to manipulate and rig the 2019 general elections in the state.
CUPP also said that as part of el-Rufai’s desperation, he inaugurated a new security outfit in the guise of ‘Kaduna State Local Government Safety and Emergency Management Volunteers’ that would be used as polling unit guards.
Briefing newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday, spokesman of the CUPP, Mohammed Ahmed Sani said the development is unacceptable and must be resisted by all means possible.
Sani further said; “We therefore call the attention of INEC, Security Agencies, Nigerians and indeed the International Observers to this unhealthy political development, so that his action should not only be totally condemned but rejected out rightly.”
The CUPP therefore called on all security agencies and INEC to ensure that the process and conduct of the 2019 general election is not only free and fair but credible and in line with international best practices.
It further said; “The Kaduna State Chapter of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) wishes to call on the attention of the general public, particularly, the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent National Electoral Commission and all relevant security agencies and stakeholders on the grand plan by Governor Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai to use his state sponsored security operatives to manipulate and rigged the 2019 general election.
“The CUPP has noted with dismay, the efforts of Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai lobbying to influence the transfer of all indigenous police officers and men serving in Kaduna State out of the state command.”
CUPP noted that with keen interest, governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai was working hard to obtain the approval of INEC and influence the Kaduna State Police Command to accept his state sponsored Kaduna Vigilante Services popularly referred to “Kato da Gora” to participate in the election as part of the election security team.
“CUPP has also observed the governor’s desperation to use his state sponsored security operatives to manipulate and rigged the election.
“Furthermore, the governor’s action goes against INEC guidelines for the conduct of the 2019 General Elections. All political parties have the responsibility of ensuring peaceful conduct of elections as it has been the practice.
“CUPP and indeed, the political parties are confident in the ability and capacity of the Nigeria Police Force and the statutory Federal Security Agencies to provide adequate security and guaranty peaceful election at all polling units and voting centers in the state and the country at large.
“It is of paramount importance that the challenges posed by the Kaduna State Governor, highlighted above, should be viewed with seriousness by all stakeholders, particularly the media and international observers to ensure that all effort to undermine the process and rigged the election should be resisted and stopped.”
