A group, Coalition for Credible And Peaceful Election, has raised the alarm over alleged plots to rig the 2023 governorship election in Kaduna State using the Nigerian Immigration Service.
According to the group in a statement by its coordinator, Abdullahi Jamilu Igabi, the new Comptroller of NIS, Liman Sani Kila who recently resumed in Kaduna Command is an ally of the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Uba Sani.
It wondered why Kila was given double promotion by the Immigration authorities and immediately posted to head the Kaduna Command.
“We have also been informed that Sani Kila is positioned to head the Operation Yaki in Kaduna State that will oversee security matters in the forthcoming general elections,” the group said in a statement.
“Mr SANI KILA is primarily posted to Kaduna to help in mobilising and coordinating other security outfits in order to help Uba Sani forcefully wins the Governorship elections.
“SANI KILA the Controller of Kaduna Immigration is deployed for the purposes of using force to intimidate voters and rig the elections in favour of UBA SANI.
“MR SANI KILA is NOT politically neutral and must be removed from the office and transferred to other states if there is going to be fairness. This is a message that must be taken seriously before the harm is done. We appeal fairness.”
Another member of the group added, “The appointment of Senator Uba Sani’s political aide, Mr Sani Kila as Immigration Controller of Kaduna State and his new role as head of Operation Yaki.
“The plot to use Nigerian Immigration Services to rig the 2023 elections in Kaduna which will favour the APC and Senator Uba Sani as the Governor; We write to draw the attention of the Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Service, and the general public to this plan.
“It’s to the knowledge of everyone in Kaduna State that Mr Sani Kila, the recently appointed boss of the Kaduna Command of the NIS has for many years served as Uba Sani’s political aide with or without the knowledge of the Nigerian Immigration Service.
“The said Sani Kila has been responsible for dispensing cash, mobilising and recruiting political thugs for Senator Uba Sani right when he served as the political adviser of Governor El-rufai. These facts are well documented.”