Labour Party (LP) senatorial candidate, Mr Labaran Maku, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the Nasarawa North bye-election, describing the exercise as a “complete sham” marred by widespread irregularities.
Addressing journalists yesterday in Wakama, Nasarawa Eggon LGA, the former information minister accused electoral officials of failing to adhere to electoral laws.
“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,” Maku said.
He alleged that the state government hijacked the process while INEC “simply provided the platform for the government to allocate votes.”
The LP candidate claimed voting did not hold in Nasarawa Eggon/Alizaga, Umme Ward and Alushi wards, with thumb printing replacing accreditation. He also cited 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.
“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,” he said.
He added 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.
Present 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 urged the federal government to probe the election, calling it a “national embarrassment.” INEC has yet to respond to the allegations.
