The Labour Party (LP) senatorial candidate, Labaran Maku, has called for the cancellation of the Nasarawa North by-election over alleged widespread irregularities.
Mr Maku, a former Minister of Information, made the call on Sunday during a press briefing at his country home in Wakama, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area.
He said the call became necessary because Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials failed to adhere to electoral laws during the exercise.
Mr Maku alleged that the returning officer for the election failed to address issues of fraud and manipulation raised by Labour Party agents.
He said, “I have observed that what took place in the bye-election in Nasarawa was a sham – a complete sham. I consulted with my party. We decided that the best option is to pull out of the election.
“And we ask INEC to honourably cancel this election and conduct a free and fair election for the senatorial district.”
The LP senatorial candidate said he had earlier raised the alarm over plans by the state government to rig the election.
“Gentlemen of the press, you will notice that prior to this election, I continued to alert the public about plans to disrupt it and to rig the election by the state government.
“I did so continuously. Now, the evidence is before the public. This election was run by the state government and its officials.
“INEC simply provided the platform for the government to allocate votes. For your information, on the eve of the election, one or two presiding officers came and reported that appointees of the government warned them that the state government could not be disgraced,” he said.
Mr Maku alleged that the election did not take place in Nassarawa Eggon/Alizaga, Umme Ward, and Alushi Wards in Nasarawa Eggon LGA, but only thumb-printing occurred, and BVAS was not used.
He also mentioned the Agyaga and Ningo-Bohar electoral wards, as well as the Gudi polling units, in Akwanga LGA, where figures were allegedly manipulated.
“In Wamba, we have cases of thumb-printing in Mama and quite a number of polling units in Wamba LGA,” he said.
Mr Maku also alleged that in the Akun Development Area, his area, there were cases of BVAS malfunctioning, which disenfranchised many of his people.
The senatorial candidate, therefore, called on the federal government to investigate the election and INEC over non-compliance with electoral laws.
“This matter calls for proper investigation because this is a national embarrassment,” he said.
He appreciated Jonathan Gaza of the campaign team of retired IGP Mohammed Adamu, Silas Agara, stakeholders, and other fellow citizens for their support during the election.
On their part, Benjamin Ango, the LP returning officer for the election, Mr Alidzi Godwin, Jacob Odobi, and Mr Stephen Habila, LP Collation Agents for Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga, and Wamba LGAs, respectively, confirmed widespread irregularities.
They said they have evidence of thumb-printing, non-usage of BVAS, and INEC’s failure to adhere to electoral laws.
The press briefing was attended by Mr Gaza, the LP governorship candidate in Nasarawa State; Adamu Ninga, the 2027 LP House of Representatives candidate for Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency; and other stakeholders alongside other party members.