Presidential poll:We’ll mobilise 20m members against Buhari – Shiites, El-Zakzaky followers

Supporters of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiite Islamic sect, have vowed to mobilise over 20 million of its members against the reelection of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari.

 The movement, which claimed that it was not in alliance with any political party, however, noted that it was going to massively vote in Saturday’s presidential election to oust the incumbent that meted out inhuman abuses and brutal massacre to it.

 In a statement issued yesterday by S.I Ahmad on behalf of Supporters of Sheikh Zakzaky Political Forum, the movement said it believes that free and fair election makes a fundamental contribution to any government that is considered to be democratic.

The statement reads: “To many Nigerians, the postponement of the election within hours was a deliberate and programmed scheme of General Buhari to cling on to power, even when it is obvious to him that Nigerians want him out. “Others believe General Buhari is just buying time for himself.

The delay will not save him from the imminent defeat that awaits him; Buhari and his cabals are scared of a free, fair and peaceful election.” The movement stated that prior to 2015 Zaria Massacre, only few supporters of Sheikh Zakzaky used to vote because it was clear to any discerning Nigerian that elections in Nigeria were hitherto characterised by massive rigging in favour of the incumbent.

“However, the 2015 general elections came with the incumbent midwife an election that saw to the defeat of the incumbent and the ushering in of this government, courtesy of the card reader system.

It was therefore apparent, that for the first time in Nigerian history, votes actually counted.” The Kaduna State government had brought an eight-count charge against El- Zakzaky and his wife, accusing him of leading an outlawed organisation, illegal possession of firearms and being a leader of an outlawed organisation.

El-Zakzaky and his wife have remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since December 2015 following a clash between the IMN and soldiers of the Nigerian Army