The Gombe State Labour Party governorship candidate, Keftin Amuga, rejected the March 18 election result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The official figures, announced by Professor Maimuna Waziri, the state’s returning officer, showed incumbent governor Muhammadu Yahaya of the All Progressives Congress with 342,821 votes, defeating Muhammad Barde of the Peoples Democratic Party, who recorded 233,131 votes, and Khamisu Mailantarki of the New Nigeria People’s Party, who scored 19,861 votes. The Labour Party candidate came a distant fourth with only 1,753 votes.
In a press statement issued by his campaign office, Amuga argued that the announced results did not reflect what was actually recorded in the field on March 18, 2023. He claimed the results were manipulated and that the voting process was marred by voter suppression, massive vote‑buying, late arrival of staff and sensitive materials, and the violent chasing away and intimidation of Labour Party agents.
Amuga disclosed that he will challenge the results in the election petition tribunal and the courts, stating that the legal process to reclaim his “victory” has already begun. While praising his supporters for turning out in large numbers for both Peter Obi and himself, he urged them to remain steadfast, calm, and committed to the ideals of the party.
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