LAFIA, Nigeria – A significant twist transpired at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Saturday, August 19, 2023, as an APC witness, Aliyu Bello, testified against his party, the All Progressive Congress, APC.
Aliyu Bello, the Secretary of APC in Nasarawa State, became a focal point during the proceedings.
During cross-examination by the petitioner’s counsel, he failed to pinpoint the forms allegedly used to cancel election results at the polling unit level in Ashige Ward.
Notably, this was a ward where the PDP and its candidate, Dr. David Ombugadu, claimed victory, but their scores were controversially omitted.
Complicating matters further, Bello contradicted himself multiple times during the testimony.
He initially stated the election in Ashige Ward was canceled due to violence.
However, this assertion was inconsistent with earlier claims of over-voting as the primary cause of cancellation, as indicated in the documents provided by the 2nd respondent.
Adding to the inconsistencies, Bello initially conceded that the election results were aptly collated.
However, he later contended that they were erroneously assembled. He also dismissed the use of BVAS in these areas, creating more confusion.
Under further cross-examination, Bello concurred with the petitioner’s assertion that elections are determined at the polling unit level based on Form EC8A results.
Additionally, he accepted that INEC BVAS IREV is the solitary reliable source for proper collation of results.
Yet, in a surprising revelation, Bello claimed unfamiliarity with form ECGPU40, suggesting that cancellations only took place at individual polling units and not at the broader electoral ward level.
Another witness, Audu Sule, further complicated the proceedings with contradictory statements.
He, too, struggled to identify the forms purportedly used to cancel election results.
Given the unexpected testimonies and the complications they introduce, the tribunal has adjourned further proceedings.
The next sessions are slated for August 24th, 26th, and 27th.
The tribunal’s findings will be eagerly awaited as it may have profound implications for political outcomes in Nasarawa State.
