Former Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku, who was a candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in the March 28 governorship election in Nassarawa State, said on Thursday that he won the election and that the Independent National Electoral Commission wrongly gave his mandate to Governor Tanko Al-Makura.
This assertion was made when he briefed newsmen on the progress of his case at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for Nassarawa state.
“I am convinced that I won the election after Wednesday’s proceeding at the tribunal. I was fraudulently denied victory by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).’’
Maku said INEC could not defend the victory it declared for incumbent Gov. Tanko Al Makura, before the tribunal.
“I want to state without equivocation that at the end of yesterday’s sitting at the tribunal; the third respondent – INEC – closed its case without a single witness.
“This made it clearer that INEC and its officers know clearly that the declaration of Tanko Al-Makura as the winner of the election was nothing but fraud’’, he said.
“INEC had filed in 25 witnesses who were supposed to answer to our charges of massive irregularities in the election.
“It had also tabled before the tribunal 25 witnesses’ statements on oath which was supposed to be presented from yesterday for 10 days.
“It was shocking to those present in court when rather than come with these 25 witnesses, INEC and its lawyers said they had no witnesses at all.
“We got information that a number of the witnesses had gone hostile and said they were not prepared to go and lie on oath and every attempt to persuade them failed.’’
In his words, this was a clear indication that the electoral body that announced Gov. Al Makura as the winner of the election could not defend this victory before the tribunal.
He further stated that his team was able to prove that APGA won the election “which was fraudulently altered by security agents in collusion with INEC officials.’’
Mr. Maku said he was particularly impressed with the witnesses who were rural dwellers for their integrity and refusal to lie on oath.
“This is the real change Nigeria is yearning for.’’
He said he would remain law abiding until the day the tribunal delivered its judgment and that it would be in his favour.
The ground on which Mr. Maku is challenging the election of Al Makura is: gross election malpractices and irregularities.
