The candidate of the Labour Party (LP), senatorial candidate, Labaran Maku has called on president Ahmed Bola-Tininubu, the national chairman of the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to cancel the Nasarawa North bye-election, describing the exercise as a “complete sham” marred by widespread irregularities.
Speaking to newsmen on Sunday in Wakama, Nassarawa Eggon LGA, the former Information Minister accused electoral officials of failing to adhere to electoral laws.
His words, “I consulted with my party. We decided that the best option is to pull out of the election and ask INEC to honourably cancel this election and conduct a free and fair election for the senatorial district.”
He alleged that the state government hijacked the process while INEC “simply provided the platform for the government to allocate votes.”
Maku, however claimed that voting did not hold in Nassarawa Eggon/Alizaga, Umme Ward and Alushi wards in Nassarawa Eggon LGA, with thumb printing replacing accreditation.
He further sighted figure manipulation in Agyaga, Ningo-Bohar and Gudi polling units in Akwanga LGA, and Mama in Wamba LGA.
In his stronghold of Akun Area Administrative Council, Maku alleged deliberate BVA malfunctions disenfranchised voters.
According to him, “In some wards where they think they have no control, the BVAs deliberately did not work. Either they tampered with them or put data that will last for an hour.”
The former information minister explained further that voters in Sabon Wakama and Angwan Tsoko had to provide data for the machines, while others were turned away despite failed face recognition.
Dr. Benjamin Ango, LP Returning Officer, alongside collation agents Alidzi Godwin, Jacob Odobi and Stephen Habila for Nassarawa Eggon, Akwanga and Wamba LGAs, said they had evidence of thumb printing and non-usage of BVAs.
Our correspondent reports that resent at the briefing were Rep Jonathan Gaza, LP Governorship Candidate in Nasarawa State, and Mr Adamu Ninga, the party’s 2027 House of Representatives candidate for Akwanga/Nassarawa Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency.
Maku, however, urged the federal government to probe the election, calling it a “national disgrace ” INEC has yet to respond to the allegations.
Umar Muhammed
