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Voters queue at a polling unit in Wednesday’s polls in Karu
Vote-buying, multiple voting, not using register, no accreditation and late arrival of electoral materials at the polling units are some of the major allegations levelled against the conduct of Wednesday’s local government polls in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State by stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).
The stakeholders also told Apex News Exclusive that at Esu Karu Polling Unit, and many others, there were some ladies who stood by the side directing voters who, and how to vote in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC).
Hon. Chidawa Bahago, the pioneer chairman of Karu local government area is among those who alleged that election is marred by ubiquitous malpractice.
Hon. Chidawa Bahago
Chief Philip Dada
He said the election is so far from being credible having been marred by all those forms of malpractices.
“First and foremost, there were using no register and there was no accreditation. Whoever comes in will be given voting paper, just like that. There is multiple voting too. Same people you see them vote at Central Primary School, Poll 001, are being imported to come and vote here. Some people have voted for more than five times. To even worsen the whole thing, there are ladies hanging at the voting stand , showing voters how to vote for APC. This is unacceptable. DPO just left, I told him to chase them away. Also, there is one boy I was told had over 1000 voters cards. He is giving it to people to vote for APC with either N500 or N1000. So how can you say the election is credible?” he asked.
In a swift response, an immediate past commissioner of Works, Chief Philip Dada has denied the allegations saying APC is sure of a clear winning spree, and has no reason to indulge in malpractice. According to him, what the people did and are still doing is a vote of appreciation and support for what the administration is doing for the people of Karu.
Dada who described the election as peaceful, orderly, free and fair, said he is happy at the massive turn up of voters, which is an expression of support endorsement, and legitimacy giving to Engr. A.A Sule’s administration.
He stated that the administration has done so much for the people of Karu that is the reason for the overwhelming voting in favour or APC, adding that he is sure, the APC will win.
“I would rather say that there is nothing like that. You don’t buy votes when you know that you’re in a clear winning spree. It is people who are trying to make up for their deficiency that would resort to vote buying. It would have been the PDP who should involve in that, but as far as I am concerned, I have not witnessed that here,” Dada said.
