From DAVID MICHAEL, Lafia
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has dismissed allegations of planned electoral manipulation in the Nasarawa North senatorial by-election, describing the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
The governor’s position was conveyed in Lafia by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Hon. Peter Ahemba, who denied accusations made by Labour Party candidate and former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku.
Maku had alleged that the state government was plotting to rig the by-election scheduled for June 20, including claims that nine wards in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area had been earmarked for manipulation, as well as alleged interference with security deployments.
Responding, the government rejected the allegations “in their entirety,” insisting they were unfounded.
Ahemba described the claims as political grandstanding, adding that they reflected the frustration of a candidate struggling with his electoral standing.
“It’s on record that Mr. Maku has lost every election that he stood alone,” he said, adding that the former minister had only recorded an electoral victory on a joint ticket with Senator Abdullahi Adamu when he served as deputy.
Ahemba further referred to Maku as a “serial loser,” warning that the allegations were a reaction to what he described as an impending defeat.
The statement maintained that Governor Sule would not interfere in the electoral process and would respect the will of voters.
It also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful by-election across Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon, and Wamba local government areas.
Four political parties are contesting the election: the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and the Labour Party.