By: Sunday Ameh
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) chairmanship candidate for Bida Local Government Area of Niger State, Abdulmalik Usman Nagenu, has accused the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) of leaving his name and party off the ballot papers in today’s local government election.
Nagenu, who hails from Wadata Ward in Bida, said he was among the first aspirants to register for the poll. However, he claimed that when voting began, he discovered that neither his name nor the NNPP logo appeared on the ballot sheet.
In a video circulating on social media, Nagenu described the development as shocking and disappointing. He urged electoral authorities to correct what he called a serious error that could compromise the credibility of the election. He also warned that he may mobilize a peaceful protest if the issue is not addressed swiftly.
The election in Niger State has been tense, with earlier reports highlighting internal disputes within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over candidate selection and concerns about security in some areas.
In a related development, residents of Magama Ward in Nasko Local Government Area reportedly set the NSIEC office ablaze after result sheets were allegedly missing from election materials delivered to the area. Eyewitnesses accused officials of attempting to manipulate the process. Sensitive election materials were said to have been destroyed, and security personnel were deployed to restore order.
The incidents come amid increasing allegations of political interference and intimidation ahead of the polls, including the reported arrest of a student from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University in Mokwa.
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