The Nasarawa bye-election has come under fresh controversy following calls by Labour Party senatorial candidate, Labaran Maku, for the exercise to be cancelled over alleged widespread electoral irregularities.
Maku, a former Minister of Information, made the demand on Sunday during a press briefing at his country home in Wakama, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area. He accused officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to comply with electoral laws and ignoring complaints raised by Labour Party agents during the election.
According to him, the integrity of the poll was compromised by what he described as manipulation, voter disenfranchisement, and the alleged failure to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in several locations.
“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,” Maku said.
“And we ask INEC to honourably cancel this election and conduct a free and fair election for the senatorial district,” he pleaded.
Maku claimed he had repeatedly warned the public before the election about alleged plans to manipulate the outcome. He accused the Nasarawa State Government of influencing the process and alleged that election officials were pressured ahead of the poll.
“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,” he said.
The former minister further alleged that voting did not properly take place in several wards, including Nassarawa Eggon/Alizaga, Umme Ward, and Alushi Ward. Instead, he claimed that thumb-printing occurred without the use of BVAS accreditation.
Additional allegations were raised regarding Agyaga and Ningo-Bohar electoral wards, as well as polling units in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area. Maku also cited cases of alleged thumb-printing in parts of Wamba Local Government Area.
The Labour Party candidate said the Federal Government should investigate the conduct of the election and INEC’s compliance with electoral regulations.
“This matter calls for proper investigation because this is a national embarrassment,” he stated.
Support for Maku’s claims came from Labour Party election officials, including the party’s Returning Officer, Dr Benjamin Ango, and collation agents from Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga, and Wamba local government areas. They alleged that they possess evidence of thumb-printing, BVAS non-use, and other violations during the exercise.
The dispute surrounding the Nasarawa bye-election highlights continuing concerns about election management and voter confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process. For political stakeholders and citizens alike, the allegations underscore the importance of transparency, technology compliance, and accountability in future elections.
As demands for investigation grow, attention is likely to focus on how electoral institutions respond to the concerns raised and whether the outcome of the Nasarawa bye-election will face further legal or administrative review.
