Labour Party candidate for the Nasarawa North Senatorial by-election, Labaran Maku, has accused the Nasarawa State Government and the All Progressives Congress of plotting to influence the outcome of the June 20 poll.
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Maku made the allegation during a press conference in Akpata, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, where he claimed that some wards with large voter populations had been marked out for electoral malpractice. According to him, several communities in Nasarawa Eggon were being targeted because of their voting strength and support for the Labour Party.
The former Minister of Information argued that the Labour Party enjoys strong grassroots support across Nasarawa North, particularly in Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga and Wamba local government areas. He claimed this growing support had created concerns within the ruling party and prompted plans to interfere with the election process.
Maku further alleged that information available to his campaign indicated that meetings had been held to discuss ways of influencing the by-election. He also claimed there were plans to use political thugs to disrupt the exercise and create confusion during voting.
He called on the Federal Government to ensure that security agencies remain neutral and are not used to influence the election. According to him, any attempt to compromise the process could threaten the peace currently enjoyed in the state.
The Labour Party candidate also criticised the APC’s candidate selection process, alleging that the ruling party failed to conduct an open and transparent primary election. He maintained that voters in the district would choose candidates based on their record, credibility and ability to serve rather than party affiliation.
Maku urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and civil society organisations to remain vigilant and ensure that the by-election is conducted in a peaceful, free and credible manner. He insisted that the votes of the people must be protected and respected.
However, the Nasarawa State chapter of the APC dismissed the allegations and described them as unfounded. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Augustine Ogaba, said the claims were an indication that the Labour Party candidate was already worried about the outcome of the election.
Ogaba noted that INEC had recently met with political stakeholders and assured all parties that the by-election would be conducted fairly. He questioned why the Labour Party failed to raise the issue during the stakeholders’ meeting if it genuinely had concerns about the process.
The APC spokesman also stated that Governor Abdullahi Sule would not support any action capable of undermining the integrity of the election. He expressed confidence that the ruling party would emerge victorious, insisting that its candidate enjoys widespread support across the senatorial district.
The Nasarawa North Senatorial seat became vacant following the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki on December 31, 2025, while receiving medical treatment in India. The by-election is expected to produce a new representative for the district in the Senate.
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