Former minister of information and Labour Party candidate for the Nasarawa North Senatorial by-election, Labaran Maku, has alleged that the state government is planning to rig the June 20 poll.

Maku said plans are already on ground to manipulate security operatives and disrupt key local government areas in favour of the ruling party.

Addressing a press conference in “Akpata” his country home near Akwanga, Maku claimed the government had resolved to undermine the election after internal reviews showed it had no path to victory.

“The state government has been walking behind the scenes to disrupt the elections. They have reviewed reports concerning the elections and come to the conclusion that there is no way the ruling party will win this election.”

He alleged that efforts were underway to change the Mobile Police (MOPOL) officer in Akwanga and reassign other police personnel slated to manage the election.

According to Maku, the government is “suggesting people that he believes he can use to disrupt the election,” and reports available to his campaign team indicate security chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police, have been approached over the postings.

Maku also accused the government of planning to “deploy thugs” to nine electoral wards in Nasarawa Local Government on election day to disrupt voting. “These reports have reached us and were verified. We know that those reports are authentic,” he said.

The ex-Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State cited the APC primaries in the zone as precedent, noting that soldiers were deployed and violence erupted in Moro, where people were reportedly wounded. “They are carrying it over into the 20 June election,” he said.

Maku further alleged that the APC had failed to conduct a primary for the senatorial seat because the governor was trying to impose a candidate. “He has not been able to conduct any primary in the APC because the governor has been trying to impose a stakeholder for himself,” he said.

He called on the President and security chiefs to ensure the by-election is “not only free and fair, but that the state government does not deploy federal agencies against the people.”

Maku warned that continued disruption of elections in Nasarawa could threaten public peace, noting that stakeholders in the zone had called on him to replace the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki.

Reacting to the allegations, the Nasarawa State Government described the claims as “false and unfounded.”

Peter Ahemba, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, said the government has no intention of undermining the electoral process and is instead focused on vigorous grassroots campaigning across the three local government areas in the district.

He further accused Maku of making “malicious and unfounded” allegations out of frustration, claiming the former minister has lost ground and support of the electorate. (Daily Trust News)