NASARAWA: Woman attempts ballot paper snatching, caught by soldiers

Pandemonium broke out on Saturday at the Polling Unit 026, Gayam Ward, Lafia in Nasarawa state after a woman suspected to be a political thug was caught by soldiers for snatching and running away with ballot papers.

The woman who arrived at about 1pm with thugs claimed to be followers of some parties took hold of the ballot papers from National Youth Service Corps members at the unit and fled.

It was gathered that the woman was chased by soldiers along Makurdi Road after which some of the ballot papers were retrieved from her.

Read also: OYO: APC governorship candidate, Adelabu, loses local govt to PDP

The incident occurred 30 minutes after Salamatu, wife of Governor Tanko Al-Makura, cast her vote at the unit.

Mr Peter Bitrus, a domestic election observer, disclosed that the hoodlums who were with the woman aided her escape while policemen were making attempts to arrest her.

He said, “It was a conspiracy. The governor’s wife voted in this polling unit and we expected that security would be tight here.

“The exercise had been largely peaceful before this woman came and caused pandemonium. She was dressed in a long black gown and she hid the papers under the gown.”

However, election officials lamented about inadequate ballot papers and stamps at most polling units monitored in Lafia,

The results of the governorship election were revealed in which the All Progressives Congress won with 214 votes while the All Progressive Grand Alliance got 174 votes. The Peoples Democratic Party came third at the unit with 101 votes.

By Todimu Ogunade…

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