The Peoples Democratic Party in Kaduna State has alleged that security operatives abducted its House of Representatives candidate for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election, Princess Esther Ashivelli Dawaki, along with 25 supporters.
At a press conference in Kaduna on Saturday, State PDP Chairman Sir Edward Percy Masha claimed the operation was conducted by a joint security team targeting the party’s Campaign Council Chairman, Hon. Hussein Ahmed-Kero. According to Masha, when security personnel failed to locate Ahmed-Kero at a Malali hotel, they allegedly seized Dawaki and others instead.
“The PDP condemns this brazen act of harassment, intimidation, and insanity by the APC and demands the immediate and unconditional release of its candidate and all others being held hostage,” Masha stated.
The party chairman called for intervention from President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, the DSS Director-General, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Chief of Defence Staff to stop what he termed an “egregious abuse of power.”
He urged civil society organizations and democracy advocates to resist attempts to intimidate voters or compromise the electoral process.
Masha accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of resorting to intimidation due to fear of electoral defeat. “The APC’s actions signal that the party is heading towards rejection, hence its resort to this show of force, akin to the last kick of a dying horse. But no amount of intimidation can save the APC from being rejected by the people,” he declared.
The PDP vowed to continue defending supporters’ rights while keeping the public informed about developments. The allegations come amid heightened political tensions ahead of the Chikun/Kajuru bye-election, with opposition parties increasingly raising concerns about potential electoral interference.
