Nasarawa Govt Faults Maku Over Alleged Rigging

The Nasarawa State government has condemned the allegation of a rigging leveled by Labour Party (LP) senatorial candidate and former minister of information, Mr. Labaran Maku, describing it as “false, malicious and entirely without foundation.”

The former minister had alleged plans by the state government to manipulate the forthcoming Nasarawa North byeelection in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidate using state machinery.

Maku claimed that nine electoral wards in Nasarawa Eggon had been earmarked for manipulation and that Governor Sule was collaborating with the police to redeploy senior security personnel ahead of the election slated for June 20, 2026.

However, speaking at a press conference at the NUJ Press Centre, on Friday in Lafia, the he Senior Special Assistant to the Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, Hon. Peter Ahemba, described the allegation as shameful, noting that Maku’s claims were not only political grandstanding but also the product of a candidate rattled by his own poor standing among the electorates.

He said Governor Sule has never directed or facilitated interference with the will of voters in any election under his administration, stressing that contrary to Maku’s claim of a meeting with security chiefs at Government House, the Governor was in Lagos and Abuja on the said day engaging foreign investors to promote the state’s economic prospects.

Ahemba described the allegation that the state government was redeploying police area commanders as “particularly reckless,” emphasizing that such powers rest exclusively with the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force command structure. “The Nasarawa State Government has no such authority and has made no such request,” he said.

He challenged Maku to submit any credible evidence to INEC or relevant law enforcement agencies rather than “making sweeping allegations in the media.”

“If Maku is as confident of his support base as he claimed that Labour Party commands 80 percent support across Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga and Wamba LGAs –he should allow the process to run its course rather than preemptively poisoning the atmosphere with unfounded allegations of fraud,” Aemba added.

He pointed out that Maku’s suggestion that electoral grievances could trigger insecurity. The government called on security agencies to take the comment seriously and “hold the former Minister responsible in the event of violence during the exercise.”

“A responsible political actor should not deploy the threat of violence. The people of Nasarawa North deserve a peaceful and orderly electoral process,” Ahemba said.

He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to a free, fair and peaceful by-election across Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon and Wamba LGAs. It assured voters that security agencies will protect them before, during and after the polls, and that no state official or group will be allowed to intimidate voters or interfere with the process.

“We have full confidence in the capacity of INEC and the security agencies to conduct a credible election. Government will continue to extend every legitimate support towards the overall success of the exercise,” he concluded.

The administration also highlighted its record since 2019 of respecting democratic principles, overseeing peaceful elections, and ensuring the emergence of representatives across party lines without interfering with INEC’s mandate.