Kaduna: There is no plan to rig the October 19 council election, says KAD-SIECOM chairman.

Hajiya Hajara Mohammed, the Chairman of the Kaduna State Independent Electoral body (KAD-SIECOM), has guaranteed that the body has no plans to rig the state's council election on October 19.

She cautioned politicians not to use violence or hate speech before, during, or after the election.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement and sensitization meeting on Saturday, the chairman asked all political parties to assist the officers allocated to their constituencies in conducting free, fair, peaceful, and credible elections.

According to her, the election will be held on October 19, 2024, as indicated by the commission.

She reiterated, "There is no intention to rig the election, which is why we have worked relentlessly to guarantee a level playing field for all candidates. Our plea to the voting public is for their full cooperation.”

Mohammed advised political parties to accept defeat in good faith, saying that there will always be another election.

Members of other political parties objected to a comment made by Barrister Mahmud Lawal Ismail, Chairman of the House Committee on Education at the State Assembly, who claimed that the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), would win all 23 local government chairmanship positions and councilorships in the state.

His statement enraged leaders from other political parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who organized a rally in response.

Speaking outside the gathering hall, PDP State Chairman Edward Marshal urged supporters of democracy to oppose such sentiments, noting that no single person or party is larger than Nigerians.

He stated that the PDP would fight for truth and justice, and expressed confidence in winning the next election despite disagreement with the commission's handling of the electoral process.