The Nasarawa State chapter of the Labour Party has rejected the results of the 2nd November Local Government chairmanship and councilorship elections in the state, which saw the ruling All Progressives Congress winning in all 13 Local Government Areas.
The state LP chairman, Alexander Ombugu, expressed his discontent on Friday during a State Executive Council meeting with the party’s candidates in the recently concluded elections.
Ombugu alleged that the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission misled the party into participating by promising a free and fair election while favouring APC candidates.
He stated that the party would not have participated in the election had NASIEC not assured political parties that the election would be fair.
Ombugu accused NASIEC of appointing some APC supporters as electoral officers across the 13 LGAs, alleging that ballot papers were hijacked in areas perceived as strongholds for the Labour Party in order to manipulate the election outcome.
He also highlighted an issue with the N550,000 deposit paid by Hon. Ede Osu, a candidate for the chairmanship position in Nassarawa LGA, who was denied the opportunity to complete his payment and participate in the election. Ombugu stated, “Since Hon. Ede Osu was not allowed to participate because his name was not shortlisted by NASIEC, the best course of action is for NASIEC to refund his N550,000.”
Another councilorship candidate, Hon. Friday Ozeegee Haruna, was reportedly unable to contest in Ungwar Rimi electoral ward of Keffi LGA due to the absence of election materials.
Ombugu added, “As a party, we are dissatisfied with the outcome of the Local Government elections held on 2nd November 2024 in the state. The elections were not conducted in polling units. I would call it a selection process, not an election, because most of the residents did not participate. We are surprised that NASIEC went ahead and announced winners for the LG elections.”
He concluded by stating that the Labour Party in Nasarawa completely rejects the outcome of the elections, arguing that they were neither credible nor free and fair as promised by NASIEC.
In a separate development, the Labour Party raised concerns over alleged impersonation by unknown individuals in Lafia Local Government Area, who are reportedly using the party’s logo and symbols at an office space. Ombugu called on security agencies to investigate the matter.
He said, “It is important to inform the public, security agencies, and relevant government bodies that the Labour Party no longer operates at its former office on Makurdi Road, Lafia. Any activity carried out at that location by any individual or group is not authorised by the party.”
After the election, NASIEC announced that the APC won the chairmanship elections in all 13 LGAs and 140 councilorship positions, while the Social Democratic Party and Zenith Labour Party secured five and two seats respectively.