Maku calls for cancellation of Nasarawa North bye-election over alleged irregularities

…As INEC declares Envulu-Anza winner

Labaran Maku, the Labour Party (LP) senatorial candidate in the Nasarawa North bye-election has called for the cancellation of the election, alleging widespread irregularities and violations of electoral laws.

Maku, a former Minister of Information, made the call on Sunday during a press briefing at his country home in Wakama, in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

He said the call became necessary because of what he described as the failure of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adhere to electoral laws during the conduct of the election.

“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 withdraw from the election.

“And we ask INEC to honourably cancel this election and conduct a free and fair election for the senatorial district,” he said.

The LP candidate alleged that the Returning Officer failed to address complaints of fraud and manipulation raised by agents of the party.

“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 alleged.

Maku further alleged that the election did not take place in some areas, including Nassarawa Eggon/Alizaga, Umme Ward and Alushi Ward in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, claiming that only thumb-printing occurred and that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was not used.

He also alleged irregularities in Agyaga and Ningo-Bohar electoral wards as well as Gudi polling units in Akwanga Local Government Area.

“In Wamba, we have cases of thumb-printing in Mama and quite a number of polling units in Wamba LGA,” he said.

Maku further alleged that there were cases of BVAS malfunction in the Akun Development Area, which he said disenfranchised many voters.

The senatorial candidate called on the Federal Government to investigate the conduct of the election and the role of INEC in what he described as non-compliance with electoral laws.

“This matter calls for proper investigation because this is a national embarrassment,” he said.

Maku also appreciated party supporters, stakeholders and members of his campaign team for their support during the election.

INEC declares Envulu-Anza winner

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Danladi Halilu Envulu-Anza of the APC winner of the Nasarawa North Senatorial Bye-Election with 45,362 votes.

Announcing the results on Sunday, Aminu Ali, the Returning Officer for the election made the declaration at the College of Education, Akwanga.

Halilu Danladi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured 45,362 votes, while Labaran Maku of the Labour Party polled 12,931 votes to place second. Emmanuel David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came third with 11,331 votes.

In other results, Mohammed Stephen Alaku of the ADC scored 4,244 votes, while Ishaya Dubai Dodo of the NDC secured 1,496 votes.